NDLEA Declares Couple Wanted, Arrests Four Cartel Members Over Cocaine Seizures

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has declared Kazeem Omogoriola Owoalade, also known as Abdul Qassim Adisa Balogun, and his wife, Rashidat Ayinke Owoalade, also known as Bolarinwa Rashidat Ayinke, wanted for their involvement in a cocaine trafficking operation based in India. The couple, who run the cartel from India, have been implicated in several drug-related activities in Nigeria. The NDLEA’s declaration follows the arrest of four syndicate members in Lagos, where authorities also recovered a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) and sealed two houses linked to the couple for forfeiture to the Federal Government.

Among those arrested were Imran Taofeek Olalekan and Ishola Isiaka Olalekan, who were apprehended on April 3, 2024, at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos. The duo was attempting to export 3.40 kilograms of cocaine to Oman via a Qatar Airlines flight. Investigations revealed that Ishola had recruited Imran to transport the drugs on behalf of the cartel leader, Kazeem Omogoriola Owoalade. This breakthrough came after five weeks of intensive surveillance and operational follow-ups by the NDLEA.

Major Drug Seizures: Concealment in Steel Bolts and Shea Butter

In a series of successful operations, NDLEA operatives intercepted drug consignments bound for China and the UK, ingeniously concealed in steel bolts and shea butter. These discoveries highlight the increasingly sophisticated methods drug traffickers employ to evade detection. The agency’s vigilance and advanced detection techniques were crucial in uncovering these hidden shipments, preventing significant quantities of drugs from leaving the country.

Moreover, the NDLEA’s efforts extended beyond typical drug interdictions, as they also recovered 2,025 explosives in Niger, Kano, and Sokoto states. These seizures underscore the agency’s broader mandate to combat not only drug trafficking but also other forms of illegal activities that threaten national security. The recovery of such a large cache of explosives demonstrates the critical role the NDLEA plays in maintaining public safety and security.

Arrests and Confessions: Expanding the Crackdown

The arrest of Hamed Abimbola Saheed on May 14, 2024, marked another significant victory for the NDLEA. Saheed, who directly worked with the cartel’s baron, was captured in the Abule Egba area of Lagos. His arrest was pivotal, as he confessed to lodging Imran Taofeek Olalekan in a hotel before his attempted drug-smuggling trip to Oman and facilitating transportation to the airport. During a search of Saheed’s residence, NDLEA operatives found 900 grams of phenacetine, a cocaine-cutting agent, highlighting his deep involvement in the drug trade.

Following Saheed’s confession, a follow-up operation led to the discovery of additional evidence at the home of Kazeem and Rashidat Owoalade at 20 Eyiaro Street, Ogudu Orioke, Lagos. NDLEA agents arrested another suspect and recovered 400 grams of cocaine, a new model Toyota RAV4 SUV registered to Rashidat, and various tools used for drug concealment, including digital weighing scales and prepared suitcases. These findings further dismantled the couple’s drug trafficking network and underscored the NDLEA’s relentless pursuit of justice.

Nationwide Impact: Broader Enforcement Efforts

In a separate but related development, NDLEA operatives arrested a 70-year-old grandfather in Borno for his involvement in illicit drug dealing. This arrest highlights the pervasive nature of drug trafficking across Nigeria and the agency’s commitment to tackling the issue at all levels. The crackdown on drug traffickers, regardless of their age or social status, sends a strong message about the NDLEA’s zero-tolerance policy towards drug-related crimes.

These series of operations, arrests, and seizures by the NDLEA demonstrate the agency’s unwavering commitment to eradicating drug trafficking networks in Nigeria. The extensive surveillance, strategic operations, and successful interdictions reflect the NDLEA’s sophisticated approach to law enforcement and its dedication to safeguarding public health and safety. As the agency continues its crackdown on drug cartels, it remains vigilant and prepared to combat any new challenges that arise in the ongoing fight against illegal drug activities.

Major Drug Seizures by NDLEA Across Nigeria

In a series of coordinated operations, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) successfully intercepted significant quantities of illicit drugs in various parts of Nigeria. On Wednesday, 15th May, NDLEA officers from the Directorate of Operations and General Investigations (DOGI) attached to a courier firm in Lagos uncovered two parcels containing cocaine and amphetamine. The cocaine, weighing 587 grams, was ingeniously hidden within eight steel bolt screws destined for China. Concurrently, an amphetamine consignment, camouflaged in vape pens and concealed in shea butter, was intended for the United Kingdom.

Another notable interception occurred on Thursday, 16th May, when NDLEA operatives in Port Harcourt thwarted an attempt by Emeka Nwadiaro, also known as Mega, to export 3.6kg of Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, concealed in 36 water flasks to Dubai, UAE. A swift follow-up operation led to the arrest of Nwadiaro in Onitsha, Anambra State on the same day, showcasing the agency’s efficiency and rapid response capabilities.

State-Wide Operations Yield Significant Results

Lagos State witnessed another major seizure when NDLEA officers intercepted a Mercedes Benz bus loaded with 840kg of cannabis and arrested the driver, Samuel Henry, in Ojo LGA. In Benue State, Lawal Adam was apprehended along Otukpo road, Aliade with 75,000 pills of opioids, including tramadol and exol-5, on Friday, 17th May. Meanwhile, in Imo State, two suspects, Olisa Etisi, 32, and Jonathan Umeh, 25, were arrested after NDLEA operatives discovered six blocks of Loud, weighing 3.85kg, concealed within a large gas cylinder on the Owerri-Onitsha road.

Additional arrests and seizures were made in Borno and Kaduna states. In Borno, 70-year-old Adamu Mohammed was arrested in Mbulamel, Biu LGA with 2kg of cannabis and 33.55 grams of diazepam on 16th May. Concurrently, Gaddafi Sani, 27, was apprehended with 30kg of cannabis along the Abuja-Kaduna road in Kaduna. These operations highlight the NDLEA’s extensive reach and relentless efforts to curb drug trafficking nationwide.

Advocacy and Recognition of Efforts

Beyond enforcement, the NDLEA has been actively engaging in the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaign. Over the past week, various commands conducted sensitization lectures across multiple states. These educational efforts targeted students and teachers in institutions such as Government Girls Science Secondary Schools in Katsina, Government Girls Science College in Niger, St. Theresa’s College in Oyo, and several schools in Delta State. These initiatives aim to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and foster a drug-free generation.

The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), commended the officers from various commands, including those in MMIA, Rivers, Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Yobe, Borno, Niger, Benue, Kwara, Imo, and Edo, as well as DOGI for their exceptional performance over the past week. He emphasized that these efforts reaffirm the critical role of the NDLEA in Nigeria’s security framework. Marwa also lauded the continuous WADA advocacy, underscoring its importance in balancing drug supply reduction with demand reduction activities.

The agency’s multifaceted approach, combining rigorous enforcement with proactive community education, continues to play a pivotal role in combating drug trafficking and abuse in Nigeria.