Korede Abdullah 
LAGOS, Nigeria – The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled two major cocaine cartels in Lagos, arresting a suspected kingpin, Alhaji Hammed Taofeek Ode, and five others after a three-week intelligence-led operation.
NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi said in a statement on Sunday that the syndicates were behind six cocaine consignments concealed in stainless cups, hair cream, and body lotion containers.
“The beginning of the end for the syndicate started on 16 September when operatives intercepted 174 parcels of cocaine weighing 13.4kg at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport,” Babafemi said.
He added that the drugs, valued at ₦150 million, were traced to Ode, who confessed to ownership.
Another cartel planning to export cocaine to the United Kingdom was also uncovered. NDLEA operatives arrested cargo agent collaborators and tracked down the consignor, Smith David Korede, a furniture maker in Oshodi, where more cocaine was recovered.
Two other suspects, Ogunbiyi Oluseye Taiwo and Popoola Francis Olumuyiwa, were arrested for separate cocaine shipments hidden in crayfish and hair cream containers.
In further nationwide raids, NDLEA seized large quantities of cannabis, tramadol, codeine, and synthetic drugs across Ogun, Osun, Edo, Kaduna, Kwara, and the FCT.
NDLEA Chairman Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) commended the officers for their “tenacity, professionalism, and balanced approach” in sustaining the agency’s crackdown on drug trafficking.
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Chukwu Obinna 
Otamere Gladness 
Oluwafunbi Bello 