The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has announced that a couple, Kazeem Omogoriola Owoalade and Rashidat Ayinke Owoalade, are wanted for operating a cocaine cartel from India. This declaration comes after the arrest of four members of the syndicate in Lagos, where a Sports Utility Vehicle was seized and two properties linked to them were sealed for confiscation by the Federal Government.
According to a statement released by the agency's Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, and posted on its website, the couple, known by aliases Abdul Qassim Adisa Balogun and Bolarinwa Rashidat Ayinke, are being sought by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency. The arrests of Imran Taofeek Olalekan and Ishola Isiaka Olalekan, two other members of the syndicate, were made on April 3, 2024, as they attempted to smuggle 3.40kg of cocaine on a Qatar Airlines flight bound for Oman through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
The agency's efforts to dismantle this cocaine cartel demonstrate its commitment to combating drug trafficking and organized crime. By apprehending key members of the syndicate and seizing their assets, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency is sending a strong message that drug trafficking will not be tolerated in Nigeria.
It is imperative that law enforcement agencies continue to work together to identify and apprehend individuals involved in drug trafficking and other illicit activities. The cooperation between the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and other agencies in Nigeria and abroad is crucial in disrupting the operations of criminal organizations and ensuring that justice is served.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency's pursuit of Kazeem Omogoriola Owoalade and Rashidat Ayinke Owoalade, along with their associates, is a significant step towards dismantling a dangerous cocaine cartel. The agency's determination to bring these individuals to justice is commendable, and it is essential that all efforts are made to apprehend them and prevent further harm caused by drug trafficking.
The efforts to dismantle the criminal network in Nigeria proved to be successful after five weeks of surveillance and follow-up operations. Another member of the syndicate, Hamed Abimbola Saheed, who was directly involved with the drug baron, was apprehended on Tuesday, May 14th in the Abule Egba area of Lagos. It was revealed that Saheed had facilitated the lodging of Imran in a hotel the day before his failed attempt to travel to Oman. Additionally, he had also dropped off Imran and Ishola at the Lagos airport on the day of their arrest.
Upon searching Hamed's residence, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) discovered 900 grams of phenacetine, a substance commonly used as a cutting agent for Cocaine. Hamed confessed that the recovered substance was part of the consignment that Imran was planning to transport to Oman.
Following Hamed's arrest, a subsequent operation was carried out at the residence of the Owoalade couple in Ogudu Orioke, Lagos. Another suspect was apprehended, and a new model Toyota RAV4 SUV belonging to Rashidat was seized. Additionally, 400 grams of Cocaine were found, along with prepared suitcases intended for drug concealment, digital weighing scales, and other related items.
Further investigations led to the interception of two parcels at a courier firm in Lagos on May 15th. The parcels contained cocaine (587g) concealed in steel bolts destined for China, as well as amphetamine hidden in vape pens and shea butter en route to the UK.
In a separate incident, an attempt to export 3.6kg of cannabis (loud strain) concealed in 36 water flasks to Dubai was thwarted at a logistics company in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on May 16th. The owner of the illicit consignment, Emeka Nwadiaro (aka Mega), was swiftly arrested in Onitsha, Anambra State on the same day.
These series of successful operations demonstrate the commitment of the NDLEA in combating drug trafficking and dismantling criminal networks involved in illicit drug trade. Such coordinated efforts are crucial in ensuring the safety and security of the society, as well as upholding the rule of law.
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