The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled two major cocaine trafficking cartels responsible for multiple United Kingdom-bound drug consignments, uncovering 20.5 kilograms of cocaine ingeniously concealed in stainless cups, body cream, and hair gel containers.
The successful operations, which spanned over three weeks across Lagos and other states, culminated in the arrest of six suspects, including the alleged mastermind, Hammed Ode, a self-proclaimed businessman and real estate developer.
According to NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi on Sunday, the crackdown began on 16 September 2025, when operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, intercepted 174 parcels of cocaine weighing 13.40kg concealed in cocoa butter body cream containers.
The seizure led investigators to Ode, who was later apprehended with the cooperation of the police.
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During interrogation, the suspect admitted ownership of the illicit shipment, which he claimed to have purchased for over N150 million. Ode, who recently returned to Nigeria after 27-year in Europe, was said to have lived in Austria, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom (UK).
In a related operation, NDLEA officers thwarted five other attempts to smuggle cocaine to the UK through the Lagos airport. One of the suspects, Smith Korede, a furniture maker, was arrested on 30 September at his Oshodi residence, where another 1.4kg of cocaine destined for export was recovered.
Further interceptions on 2 October uncovered two additional UK-bound shipments containing cocaine hidden in crayfish packs, stainless cups, and hair cream containers. Two suspects, Ogunbiyi Taiwo and Popoola Olumuyiwa, were arrested in connection with the seizures.
The agency also intercepted 6.3kg of cannabis “Loud” concealed in bedsheets and hibiscus flowers from Thailand, and seized 290,450 pills of tramadol and pregabalin capsules during a joint NDLEA-Customs operation in Kano.
Other major operations across the country led to the arrest of drug dealers and the destruction of large cannabis farms.
In Osun and Edo States, NDLEA operatives destroyed over 24,897kg of cannabis (skunk) cultivated on more than 9 hectares of farmland. Several suspects were apprehended during the raids.
In Lagos, notorious dealer John Igbe, alias SammyBless, was arrested in Lekki with 550 grams of synthetic cannabis (Colorado) packaged for retail. Three other suspects were caught in Mushin with over 100kg of skunk, bottles of codeine syrup, and nitrous oxide.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (Rtd), commended the operatives for their professionalism and persistence, affirming the agency’s resolve to eradicate drug trafficking networks nationwide.
“We’ll continue to target and dismantle every identified drug cartel at every level of their operations; from the mules to the dealers in between and up to their leadership. Every arrest, seizure and assets forfeited by the criminal syndicates signifies innocent lives saved and communities protected either here in Nigeria or in other jurisdictiond,” Marwa said.
The NDLEA also continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaigns across schools, markets, and religious centres in states including Adamawa, Katsina, Niger, Lagos, and Imo.
