Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have dismantled a major drug trafficking syndicate following a three-week intelligence-led operation that led to the interception of cocaine consignments hidden in tins of palm kernel extract and the arrest of the cartel’s kingpin.
The agency said the illicit consignments were destined for the United Kingdom, with the syndicate employing sophisticated concealment methods to evade detection.
The breakthrough began on March 11, 2026, when NDLEA officers attached to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Strategic Command in Ikeja, Lagos, intercepted 3.10 kilograms of cocaine at the export shed.
The drugs were carefully concealed inside tins of palm kernel extract prepared for shipment abroad.
According to a statement by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, two suspects linked to the shipment—Idris Olayiwola Amoo and Akinlami Akinsoji Adedoyin, were immediately arrested.
Babafemi said a follow-up sting operation on April 2 led to the arrest of the sender of the consignment, identified as Ezemuwo Joel, who allegedly operated under a false identity, Ajayi.
Investigations from his arrest led operatives to the syndicate’s leader, 52-year-old King Arinze, who was tracked to a hideout in the Isolo area of Lagos.
He was subsequently taken to his warehouse located at 11, Ola Ifa Street, Bucknor, Isolo, where operatives uncovered extensive evidence of drug concealment operations.
Items recovered from the warehouse included 886 tins of palm kernel extract prepared for drug concealment, industrial sealing machines, tin openers, paint sprays, 52 grams of cannabis sativa, and a pack of hand gloves.
The suspect reportedly confessed to personally draining the oil from the tins to hide cocaine consignments.
In a related operation in Borno State, NDLEA operatives arrested a 28-year-old woman, Aisha Adamu, along the Gamboru Ngala road with 4.3 kilograms of Colorado, a potent synthetic strain of cannabis. She was suspected to be supplying drugs to bandit groups operating in the North-East and neighbouring Chad.
In Lagos, a pastor of the Celestial Church of Christ, Agonvi Sea Beach, Sakpo area of Seme border, Pastor Afolabi Hodonu, 45, and his wife, Success Hodonu, 35, were arrested at the Gbaji checkpoint.
A search of their Honda Pilot SUV led to the discovery of 11 kilograms of skunk concealed in hidden compartments.
Their arrest followed the earlier apprehension of a suspected fake security agent, Sunday Samuel, who was caught transporting 24.5 kilograms of skunk along the same route.
In Adamawa State, NDLEA operatives intercepted a trailer conveying 48,000 tramadol pills along Namtari road in Yola South, leading to the arrest of the driver, Abdulaziz Ismail Korede, and the intended recipient, Idris Adamu.
In Osun State, a 60-year-old woman, Idiatu Oladejo, was arrested with 15 kilograms of skunk in Isale Osun, Osogbo.
Operatives also raided the Itaogbolu forest in Akure, Ondo State, recovering 351 kilograms of skunk and its seeds.
In Benue State, 28,600 tramadol capsules were seized from a 66-year-old suspect, Aminu Usman Gembu, at Aliade.
Meanwhile, in Edo State, NDLEA operatives raided a warehouse in Egbanke community, Orhionmwon Local Government Area, where 1,378 kilograms of skunk were recovered, leading to the arrest of one Roland Owie.
Ashenews reports that in Oyo State, a notorious drug dealer, Ayantola Omodunmomi, also known as “Iya Elle,” was arrested in Ibadan following intelligence reports.
The agency alleged that she used her 11-year-old daughter, Anjola, to distribute illicit drugs to customers.
At the time of her arrest, 45.6 kilograms of skunk were recovered from her residence.
The agency said its War Against Drug Abuse sensitisation campaign continued nationwide, with outreach programmes held in schools across Oyo, Lagos, Kano, Anambra and Zamfara states.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers across various commands for the successful operations.
“These successful operations are a testament to the Agency’s evolving intelligence capabilities and our unwavering commitment to choking the supply lines of drug cartels,” he said.
“Whether they hide behind legitimate businesses, religious titles, or complex concealment methods, we will find them.”
The agency reiterated its commitment to sustaining a balance between reducing drug supply and curbing demand, warning that traffickers would continue to face intensified enforcement actions nationwide.
