NDLEA Busts Cocaine Syndicates Behind Six UK-Bound Shipments

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled two major drug cartels behind six separate cocaine shipments concealed in stainless cups, body creams, and hair gel containers destined for the United Kingdom.

The three-week intelligence-led operations in Lagos led to the arrest of five suspects, including the alleged kingpin, Alhaji Hammed Taofeek Ode, who presented himself as a businessman and property developer.

According to NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, the first breakthrough came on September 16, 2025, when operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, intercepted 174 parcels of cocaine weighing 13.40kg hidden inside cocoa butter body cream containers.

“A cargo agent was arrested immediately, and investigations linked the consignment to Alhaji Hammed Ode. After weeks of surveillance, he was traced and arrested with support from the police,” Babafemi said.

Ode reportedly admitted ownership of the drugs, claiming he purchased them for over ₦150 million. He had lived in several European countries for more than 27 years before returning to Nigeria in 2024.

In a related operation, NDLEA foiled five additional UK-bound cocaine shipments hidden in hair cream containers. The crackdown led to the arrest of Smith David Korede, a furniture maker, found with 1.4kg of cocaine at his Mafoluku, Oshodi residence. Two others, Ogunbiyi Oluseye Taiwo and Popoola Francis Olumuyiwa, were later apprehended after 2.6kg of cocaine concealed in crayfish and hair cream containers was recovered.

The agency also intercepted 6.3kg of “Loud,” a potent strain of cannabis, concealed in bed sheets and hibiscus flowers from Thailand.

Separately, NDLEA operatives across Kano, Lagos, Kwara, Ogun, Kaduna, Osun, and Edo States seized large quantities of tramadol, skunk, codeine syrup, and nitrous oxide from different suspects.