The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has confirmed the apprehension of a couple, Bolanle and Olayinka Dauda, allegedly involved in a cocaine trafficking syndicate. The arrests came as a result of two major operations conducted in Lagos and Ogun states, where a significant quantity of illicit drugs worth billions of naira was seized.
According to Femi Babafemi, the agency’s spokesperson, the raids were intelligence-driven, with Bolanle and Olayinka being arrested during a joint operation involving NDLEA officials and the Drug Enforcement Administration of the United States. The couple was intercepted at Ibiye, along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, while attempting to transport a consignment of cocaine to Ghana. Upon their arrest, 42 blocks of cocaine, weighing 47.5 kilograms, were recovered from them. Subsequent investigations led to the discovery of an additional eight blocks of cocaine, weighing 10kg, at their residence in Agbara, Ogun State, bringing the total haul to 57.5 kilograms.
In another operation, NDLEA’s special unit seized over 1,100 ampoules of fentanyl, a lethal synthetic opioid, from a drug trafficking syndicate member, Ikeh Ifeanyi, at the Idumota Market in Lagos Island. Additionally, 790 ampoules of fentanyl, weighing 5.273kg, were confiscated from another syndicate member, Chieze Benjamin, at the same location. Fentanyl, known to be 100 times more potent than heroin, has been implicated in a significant portion of overdose deaths in the United States.
Further operations by NDLEA officers led to the arrest of Olayiwola Kazeem and Ogunfowora Ajibola on Lagos Island, with 432 grams of methamphetamine seized from them. At the Tin Can Port in Lagos, NDLEA intercepted 15 parcels of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, concealed in a Toyota Highlander SUV within a container originating from Toronto, Canada.
Two suspects, Sunday Sodade and Oriyomi Adesina, were apprehended in connection with the intercepted vehicle and drug consignment. Notably, NDLEA officials also uncovered a bribe of N6 million offered to them by the sender of the container, based in Canada, through his agent, which has been seized as evidence for prosecution.
These operations underscore NDLEA’s commitment to combatting drug trafficking and related crimes in Nigeria, with a focus on dismantling organized drug networks and intercepting illicit drug shipments.
