The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has broken up two drug trafficking networks responsible for smuggling cocaine to the United Kingdom in containers disguised as everyday products.
Officers arrested six individuals during intelligence-driven operations spanning three weeks in Lagos. Among those detained was Alhaji Hammed Taofeek Ode, described as a businessman and property developer, whom authorities identified as the operation’s mastermind.
Agency spokesman Femi Babafemi announced the arrests in a statement released Sunday. He said the investigation began on September 16, 2025, when officers at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja discovered 174 cocaine parcels weighing 13.40 kilograms hidden inside cocoa butter body cream containers.
Authorities immediately arrested a cargo agent at the scene. Further investigation connected the shipment to Ode, who was later apprehended following weeks of surveillance conducted with police assistance.
According to Babafemi, Ode admitted ownership of the narcotics and claimed he purchased them for more than 150 million naira. He reportedly spent over 27 years living in various European countries before returning to Nigeria in 2024.
In a separate but related enforcement action, the agency prevented five additional cocaine shipments from reaching the United Kingdom. Officers discovered multiple consignments concealed in hair cream containers, leading to the arrest of Smith David Korede, a furniture maker. A search of his residence in Mafoluku, Oshodi uncovered 1.4 kilograms of cocaine.
Two more suspects, Ogunbiyi Oluseye Taiwo and Popoola Francis Olumuyiwa, were subsequently arrested after officers recovered 2.6 kilograms of cocaine hidden in crayfish and hair cream containers.
The agency also seized 6.3 kilograms of “Loud,” a high-potency cannabis strain, concealed in bed sheets and hibiscus flowers imported from Thailand.
Beyond these operations, NDLEA officers conducted raids in Kano, Lagos, Kwara, Ogun, Kaduna, Osun, and Edo states, confiscating substantial quantities of tramadol, skunk, codeine syrup, and nitrous oxide from various suspects.
