• Cartel
• Drugs
• NDLEA

NDLEA SMASHES TWO MAJOR COCAINE CARTELS BEHIND SIX UK-BOUND SHIPMENTS, ARRESTS SYNDICATE ARROWHEAD ALHAJI HAMMED TAOFEK ODE

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  CapitalTimesNews / 2 months
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• 2 min read

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has achieved a significant breakthrough in its fight against illicit drug trafficking, dismantling two major cocaine cartels responsible for six shipments destined for the United Kingdom. The operation, which spanned three weeks across Lagos, led to the arrest of Alhaji Hammed Taofeek Ode, the alleged mastermind, along with five accomplices. Ode, who described himself as a businessman and real estate developer, was apprehended following intelligence linking him to a 13.4kg cocaine consignment intercepted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) on September 16. The cocaine was ingeniously concealed in cocoa butter body cream containers. Further investigations revealed Ode’s involvement in the illicit trade, with authorities uncovering a total of 20.5 kilograms of cocaine hidden in stainless cups, body cream, and hair gel containers. “We’ll continue to target and dismantle every identified drug cartel at every level of their operations,” declared Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), Chairman of the NDLEA. “Every arrest, seizure, and forfeited asset represents innocent lives saved and communities protected, both in Nigeria and abroad”. Parallel operations led to the arrest of Smith David Korede, a furniture maker, implicated in additional UK-bound cocaine shipments. Two other suspects, Ogunbiyi Oluseye Taiwo and Popoola Francis Olumuyiwa, were arrested for concealing cocaine in crayfish and hair cream containers destined for the UK. The NDLEA’s coordinated efforts extended beyond Lagos, with significant seizures nationwide. These include 6.3kg of Loud cannabis smuggled from Thailand, 290,450 Tramadol pills intercepted in Kano, and the destruction of 24,897kg of skunk in Edo and Osun forests. Other notable arrests include John Igbe (alias SammyBless) with 550g of Colorado in Lekki, and three suspects in Mushin with 109kg skunk, codeine syrup, and nitrous oxide. During interrogation, Ode admitted ownership of the seized cocaine, claiming he purchased it for over ₦150 million. Ode reportedly lived in several European countries, including the UK, Austria, France, and Germany, before returning to Nigeria in 2024. Brig. Gen. Marwa praised NDLEA operatives for their professionalism, underscoring the agency’s relentless pursuit of dismantling drug cartels.