Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have dismantled an international organized criminal group (IOCG) linked to drug trafficking across Nigeria, the UK, Brazil, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates.

This followed a two-week intelligence-led operation in Lagos leading to the arrest of three cartel leaders following the interception of a significant cocaine shipment.

According to a statement by the NDLEA national spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, the operation began on August 26, 2025, when NDLEA officers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) discovered 76 cartons of textile materials destined for Sydney, Australia.

A thorough examination revealed 16 blocks of cocaine weighing 17.9 kilograms hidden within the lace materials, disguised with local charms to evade detection.

A freight agent, Olashupo Michael Oladimeji, connected to the syndicate, was the first to be arrested.

“This consignment was valued at over 5.3 million Australian Dollars, equivalent to N5.3 billion,” the statement reads.

It noted that the investigation quickly led to the identification of other key figures in the operation, including Muaezee Ademola Ogunbiyi and Shola Adegoke. Ogunbiyi, described as the group’s Nigerian coordinator, was apprehended in Ikeja on September 3, where authorities found 21 parcels of Canadian Loud cannabis, a pump-action gun, and ammunition at his residence.

Shola Adegoke, another leader of the syndicate, was arrested at a packaging site in Ikeja, where 17 parcels of Loud cannabis were also recovered from a vehicle on the premises.

“It’s clear that while Ogunbiyi manages local operations, Adebisi Ademola Omoyele, currently in Dubai, oversees international activities,” said the spokesperson, adding that Ogunbiyi had previously served time in the UK for murder.

In a separate operation on September 5, NDLEA agents arrested Gabriel Michael at Terminal 1 of MMIA while he attempted to board a flight to Italy with 24,480 pills of tramadol.

Additional seizures included 160,200 bottles of codeine-based syrup found in a shipping container in Rivers State, alongside various drug arrests throughout Nigeria, including 3.1 kilograms of synthetic cannabis in Abuja and 625 kilograms of Colombian Loud and other illicit substances in Lagos.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CCEO) of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), praised the efforts of the agencies involved, emphasizing the importance of continuing their war against drug abuse.

He said, “I commend our teams across the states for their relentless commitment and urge them to maintain a balanced approach in our drug control efforts.”

The NDLEA continues to advocate against drug abuse through educational initiatives across the country, demonstrating its commitment to combatting the growing drug problem.