Attempt by a convicted drug kingpin Olashupo Michael Oladimeji to export 1.10 kilograms of cocaine concealed in processed cassava granules, popularly known as Garri to London, United Kingdom, on a Virgin Atlantic flight, has been thwarted by National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja, Lagos.
Olashupo is presently serving a five-year jail term at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre, Lagos, after NDLEA arrested him in 2025 in connection with a case of unlawful conspiracy to export 17.90kg cocaine, and was successfully prosecuted, convicted and sentenced in charge number FHC/L/925C/2025, by a Federal High Court in Lagos.
Not ready to give up on his criminal enterprise, the convict who is the Chief Executive Officer of Dimeji Express Logistics, located at 20 Omilade Street, Mafoluku, Oshodi, Lagos, initiated the latest scheme from behind the prison wall to export the 1.10kg cocaine, using his company.
His lid was, however, blown open on Thursday, 12th February when NDLEA officers at the export shed of the Lagos airport intercepted a consignment of compressed block of cocaine, hidden in a sack of Garri which was further packed inside a carton.
A staff of Dimeji Express Logistics, Adedeji Yusuf Gbolahan who presented the consignment for export was promptly arrested.
Investigations revealed that Olashupo Michael Oladimeji, initiated the trafficking scheme from prison and directed Yusuf to pick the consignment at a location in Oshodi.
A similar attempt by a 44-year-old estate surveyor Adelaja Taiwo Adetayo to export 1.70 kilograms of skunk concealed in five jerry cans to the UK, was equally frustrated by NDLEA operatives at the export shed of the Lagos airport.
The cargo agent Mustapha Quddus Opeyemi who presented the consignment for export was initially arrested while a follow up operation led to the arrest of Adelaja at Ahmadiyya area of Lagos on Monday 9th February.
In Abuja, NDLEA operatives on Thursday 12th February intercepted a waybill package sent from Enugu containing children’s toy guitar.
A search of the guitar revealed that it was used to conceal two parcels of Canadian Loud, a strain of Cannabis, weighing 59.2grams.
A follow-up operation led to the arrest of the owner of the consignment Henry Onuma at Dream City Estate, Life Camp.
In Lagos, NDLEA officers on Friday 13th February raided a 4-bedroom duplex at 2 Alexandria Terrace, Ikate-Elegushi, Lekki, used for the production and storage of Colorado, a synthetic cannabis.
The raid followed the seizure of 73 cartons of nitrous oxide at Iyare Motor Park, Ajah–Epe expressway, a consignment intended for Benin City, Edo State.
The driver of the vehicle moving the shipment, Amos Innocent, was arrested while Victor Oyedeji was nabbed at the Lekki home where 13.2 kilograms of freshly produced Colos were recovered in addition to precursor chemicals.
A notorious female drug dealer in Ibadan, Oyo State, Oluwayemisi Bunmi, 45, was on Wednesday 11th February arrested at her enclave in Hope Alakia area of the state capital.
Recovered from her include 1.189kg Colos, skunk; 320grams of methamphetamine; monetary exhibit of ₦2,975,000 and two cars: a Navy blue Toyota Matrix car marked JJJ 629 FQ and a Sky blue Toyota Matrix car with registration number LND 602 AQ.
No fewer than 105,400 pills of tramadol were recovered from a suspect, Kamilu Abdullahi, 43, when his J5 vehicle marked DTM-765XA, was intercepted by NDLEA operatives at Bode Saadu area of Kwara State on Thursday 12th February.
In Edo State, five suspects – Murtala Mohammed, 37; Abdulkadir Idris Mohammed, 29; Ufoma Edafe, 40; Anthony Aghati, 46; and Emmanuel Owalu Ekele, 39 – were arrested on Saturday 14th February when NDLEA operatives raided the Yoruba Camp, Olumoye Forest, in Ovia North East local government area where 563.5 kilograms of skunk were recovered.
Across all Commands and formations of the agency nationwide, NDLEA officers continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization activities in schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.
These include WADA enlightenment lecture to students and staff of Anglican Grammar School, Ogbomoso, Oyo; Government Day Secondary School, Yola, Adamawa; Government Secondary School, Tudun Gwandara, Lafia, Nasarawa; Government Girls Technical and Commercial College, Charanchi, Katsina; and Ajumoni Senior Secondary School, Mushin, Lagos, among others.
While commending the officers and men of the MAKIA, MMIA, NAIA, Lagos, Edo, Kwara, FCT, and Oyo commands for the arrests, seizures and their professionalism, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) enjoined them and their colleagues across the country to continue the current balanced approach to their drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.
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