By Uzair Adam Imam
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has made a significant breakthrough in its fight against drug trafficking, arresting four members of a cocaine cartel and declaring a couple wanted in connection with the crime.
According to NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi, the agency arrested Imran Taofeek Olalekan and Ishola Isiaka Olalekan on April 3, 2024, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos, as they attempted to export 3.40kg of cocaine to Oman.
Investigations revealed that the duo was allegedly working for a cartel headed by Alhaji Kazeem Omogoriola Owoalade, aka Abdul Qassim Adisa Balogun, an Indian resident who has been declared wanted alongside his wife, Rashidat Ayinke Owoalade, aka Bolarinwa Rashidat Ayinke.
NDLEA operatives also arrested Hamed Abimbola Saheed, a member of the syndicate, on May 14, 2024, in the Abule Egba area of Lagos, and recovered 900 grams of phenacetine, a cutting agent for cocaine, from his residence.
A follow-up operation at the Owoalade couple’s residence in Ogudu Orioke, Lagos, led to the arrest of another suspect and the recovery of a new Toyota RAV4 SUV, 400 grams of cocaine, and other drug paraphernalia.
In related operations, NDLEA officers intercepted cocaine and amphetamine concealed in steel bolts and shea butter at a courier firm in Lagos, and thwarted attempts to export cannabis and opioids to Dubai, China, and the UK.
The agency also arrested several suspects and recovered large quantities of drugs in various operations across the country, including 840kg of cannabis in Lagos, 75,000 pills of opioids in Benue, and 2kg of cannabis and diazepam in Borno.
NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) commended the officers involved in the operations and reiterated the agency’s commitment to fighting drug abuse and trafficking.