NDLEA Smashes Cocaine Cartels Behind 6 UK-Bound Shipments; Arrests Arrowhead, 5 Others

In a sequence of intelligence-driven operations spanning more than three weeks across Lagos, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have effectively dismantled two significant drug cartels responsible for six separate cocaine shipments hidden within the walls of stainless cups, body cream, and hair gel containers, resulting in the apprehension of five suspects and ultimately the syndicate’s kingpin, Alhaji Hammed Taofeek Ode, who presents himself as a businessman and real estate developer.

A statement issued by the agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, indicates that the collapse of the criminal syndicate’s activities commenced on 16th September 2025 when NDLEA operatives at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos intercepted 174 parcels of cocaine, weighing 13.40 kilograms, concealed within the walls of cocoa butter body cream containers. A cargo agent was swiftly arrested. Babafemi noted that further investigations identified Alhaji Hammed Taofeek Ode as the orchestrator of the shipment, and after weeks of intelligence gathering, it was confirmed that the drug baron had reported a dispute at the Zone 2 headquarters of the Police in Lagos, prompting the Agency to collaborate with the police to secure the suspect’s custody.

During his initial interview, Alhaji Hammed Ode admitted to owning the consignment, which he claimed to have purchased for over N150 million. He portrayed himself as a businessman and estate developer after returning from the United Kingdom in 2024. He had resided for over 27 years in several European countries, including Austria, Netherlands, France, Germany, and Saudi Arabia, before settling in the UK.

Similarly, five other determined efforts by another criminal syndicate to export cocaine consignments to the United Kingdom were also foiled by operatives of the MMIA Strategic Command of NDLEA. The unraveling of this gang began on 26th September with the seizure of 2.10kg of cocaine hidden within the walls of hair cream containers at the export shed of the Lagos airport.

The arrest of a cargo agent led to the apprehension of the consignor, Smith David Korede, a furniture maker, on Tuesday, 30th September, at his base at 3 Arowojobe Street, Mafoluku, Oshodi, Lagos, where an additional consignment of 1.40kg of cocaine intended for export to the UK was recovered from him. On the same day, another consignment of 1.00kg of cocaine, concealed in a similar manner and also destined for the UK, was intercepted at the airport’s export shed. The cargo agent arrested in connection with the 1.00kg cocaine also identified Smith David Korede as the consignor, linking a total of three seized cocaine consignments to the suspect.

Two additional cocaine-laden consignments bound for the UK were intercepted by NDLEA operatives at the export shed of the MMIA on Thursday, 2nd October. Two suspects, Ogunbiyi Oluseye Taiwo and Popoola Francis Olumuyiwa, connected to these seizures, were promptly arrested. One consignment included crayfish and 12 pieces of stainless cups used to conceal 1.00kg of cocaine, while the second consignment also contained crayfish and 36 containers of hair cream used to conceal 1.60kg of cocaine.

Additionally, an attempt by another criminal gang to smuggle 6.3 kilograms of Loud, a potent strain of cannabis concealed in bedsheets and hibiscus flowers from Thailand, into Lagos was also thwarted by NDLEA operatives assigned to certain courier companies. Meanwhile, a joint operation between NDLEA officers and Customs Service personnel at a checkpoint along the Danbatta-Daura road in Kano on Thursday, 2nd October, led to the arrest of 38-year-old Sa’adu Ali and the seizure of 290,450 pills of tramadol 250mg and pregabalin capsules.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli