The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has secured the conviction of five members of international drug trafficking syndicates, who have been sentenced to a combined 21 years in prison by Federal High Courts in Lagos.
According to NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, three of the convicts are Olasupo Michael Oladimeji, Muaezee Ademola Ogunbiyi, and Sola Adegoke were arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, after operatives intercepted 17.9 kilograms of cocaine hidden in textile materials and local charms bound for Sydney, Australia, on August 26, 2025.
Further investigation led to the recovery of 20.5 kilograms of Canadian Loud (a potent cannabis strain) from Ogunbiyi’s residence in Lekki and the seizure of a Range Rover SUV (RBC 459 EJ) from Adegoke’s home in Ikeja GRA.
The trio were charged with five counts (Case No. FHC/L/925C/2025) before Justice Musa Kakaki and pleaded guilty. On October 31, 2025, the court sentenced each to five years in prison without an option of fine, totaling 15 years. The court also ordered the forfeiture of the Range Rover SUV and a Toyota Venza linked to the convicts to the Federal Government.
In a separate case, two other syndicate leadersbObunike Obichukwu and Uzorchukwu Chukwurah were arrested after NDLEA officers intercepted 2.60 kilograms of cocaine and 27.90 kilograms of tramadol concealed in motor spare parts destined for Gabon on July 19, 2025.
They were arraigned before Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa (Case No. FHC/L/980C/2025) on November 4, 2025, and pleaded guilty. Both received three-year jail terms or the option of a ₦2 million fine each.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of ₦4 million, which Obunike had paid as an attempted bribe to NDLEA officers.
Babafemi noted that these convictions demonstrate NDLEA’s renewed focus on dismantling entire drug networks including couriers, cartel organisers, and financial backers while ensuring that assets derived from drug crimes are confiscated.
The agency continues to intensify its operations against transnational drug syndicates exploiting Nigerian airports. The Murtala Muhammed International Airport remains a major route for illicit drug movement to Europe, Asia, and Africa, prompting NDLEA to boost surveillance and enforcement.
Earlier in June 2025, NDLEA operatives intercepted 66 parcels of “Loud” cannabis disguised as green tea, weighing over 62 kilograms, at the airport’s import shed. The shipment had arrived from Thailand through the United Arab Emirates.
The NDLEA reiterated its commitment to targeting the financial and logistical infrastructure of drug cartels through asset recovery and forensic financial investigations.
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