NDLEA Cracks Down on International Drug Syndicate, Seizes N5.3bn Cocaine

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) announced a major victory against organized crime, revealing the arrest of three suspected kingpins linked to a vast international drug network. The sting operation, which spanned over two weeks, culminated in the seizure of a cocaine consignment with an estimated street value of ₦5.3 billion.

The intricate investigation began on August 26, 2025, at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja. NDLEA operatives flagged a shipment of 76 cartons of textile materials destined for Sydney, Australia. A detailed search uncovered 16 large blocks of cocaine, weighing 17.9 kilograms, cleverly hidden within lace fabrics. To evade detection, the packages also contained local charms, which the syndicate allegedly believed would provide “spiritual cover.”

The operation’s first breakthrough came with the arrest of the syndicate’s freight agent, Olashupo Michael Oladimeji. This initial arrest provided vital leads that quickly unmasked other key leaders of the criminal group: Muaezee Ademola Ogunbiyi and Shola Adegoke.

Ogunbiyi, identified as the arrowhead of the group’s Nigerian operations, was taken into custody at a hotel in Ikeja. A subsequent search of his Lekki residence yielded an additional 10.90kg of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, along with a double-barreled pump-action gun. Meanwhile, Adegoke was arrested during a raid on a house in Ikeja GRA that the syndicate used to package illicit drugs. The raid also led to the recovery of 9.60kg of Loud from a Range Rover SUV found at the location.

Investigations also revealed that Adebisi Ademola Omoyele, known as “Mr. Bee,” is the network’s ringleader who coordinates overseas operations from his base in Dubai, UAE.

Notably, two of the suspects have significant criminal histories:

• Shola Adegoke: Jailed in the UK in 2021 for methamphetamine trafficking and later deported to Nigeria in 2024.
• Muaezee Ademola Ogunbiyi: Served a 14-year prison sentence in the UK for a murder case before returning to Nigeria about eight years ago.