By: Manoah Kikekon
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| EFCC |
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has successfully dismantled two sophisticated drug cartels operating from Lagos. The criminal networks were specifically targeting the United Kingdom, using ingenious methods to conceal substantial quantities of cocaine within everyday export items.
This landmark achievement, announced by the NDLEA's Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr. Femi Babafemi, culminates a series of intelligence-driven operations spanning over three weeks, marking a critical victory in the fight against drug smuggling.
The first major breakthrough occurred on September 16th at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA). Here, vigilant NDLEA operatives intercepted a massive consignment containing 174 parcels of cocaine, weighing 13.40 kilograms.
The illicit substance was expertly hidden within the walls of containers labelled as cocoa butter body cream. The immediate arrest of a cargo agent involved in the shipment provided the crucial lead that unraveled the entire operation, pointing investigators toward the mastermind lurking in the shadows.
The investigation ultimately pinpointed and led to the arrest of Hammed Ode, the alleged arrowhead of the syndicate. Ode, who presented himself as a successful businessman and real estate developer following his return from the UK in 2024, was apprehended after the NDLEA collaborated with the Zone 2 police headquarters in Lagos.
During preliminary interviews, Ode shockingly admitted to owning the seized consignment, which he valued at over N150 million. His extensive 27-year residency in several European countries, including the UK, Austria, and the Netherlands, is believed to have been instrumental in establishing his international drug network.
In a parallel and equally successful operation, the NDLEA's MMIA Strategic Command frustrated a second criminal syndicate, thwarting five separate attempts to export cocaine to the United Kingdom. The unraveling of this gang began on September 26th with the seizure of 2.10kg of cocaine concealed in hair cream containers.
The arrest of the involved cargo agent swiftly led operatives to the consignor, Smith Korede, a furniture maker based in Mafoluku, Oshodi. A subsequent raid on Korede's premises on September 30th yielded another 1.40kg of cocaine destined for the UK.
The evidence against Smith Korede mounted rapidly. On the same day as his arrest, a third consignment linked to him containing 1.00kg of cocaine with a similar concealment method was intercepted at the airport. The web tightened further on October 2nd when NDLEA operatives intercepted two more UK-bound shipments.
These consignments, cleverly hidden within packages of crayfish and using stainless cups and 36 hair cream containers, contained 1.00kg and 1.60kg of cocaine respectively. Two more suspects, Ogunbiyi Oluseye and Popoola Olumuyiwa, were arrested in connection with these seizures.