Drug kingpin Oladimeji orchestrates fresh Cocaine smuggling plot to London from prison

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

A convicted drug kingpin currently serving a jail term has allegedly masterminded a fresh attempt to smuggle cocaine to London from behind prison walls.

Spokesman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Femi Babafemi, disclosed that operatives thwarted an attempt by Olashupo Michael Oladimeji to export 1.10 kilograms of cocaine concealed in processed cassava granules, popularly known as garri, to the United Kingdom.

Babafemi, in a statement on Sunday said the illicit consignment, which was billed for shipment on a Virgin Atlantic flight to London, was intercepted at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Thursday, 12th February.

He stated that Oladimeji is currently serving a five-year jail term at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre following his conviction in 2025 for conspiracy to export 17.90 kilograms of cocaine.

Babafemi added that despite his incarceration, the convict allegedly coordinated the latest trafficking scheme from prison, deploying his company, Dimeji Express Logistics, located at 20 Omilade Street, Mafoluku, Oshodi, Lagos, as a front.

According to him, the 1.10kg compressed block of cocaine was hidden inside a sack of garri and further packed in a carton to beat airport security.

Babafemi said a staff member of the logistics firm, Adedeji Yusuf Gbolahan, who presented the consignment for export, was immediately arrested.

He stated that preliminary investigations revealed Oladimeji directed the operation from prison and instructed Yusuf to pick up the consignment from a location in Oshodi for onward export.

In the same vein, Babafemi disclosed that NDLEA operatives also frustrated another bid to smuggle drugs to the UK.

He said a 44-year-old estate surveyor, Adelaja Taiwo Adetayo, attempted to export 1.70 kilograms of skunk concealed in five jerry cans.

Babafemi stated that the cargo agent, Mustapha Quddus Opeyemi, who presented the shipment at the airport, was initially arrested, while a follow-up operation led to the arrest of Adelaja at the Ahmadiyya area of Lagos on Monday, 9th February.

Beyond the airport seizures, Babafemi said NDLEA officers in Abuja on Thursday, 12th February, intercepted a waybill package from Enugu containing a children’s toy guitar.

He explained that a search of the musical instrument uncovered two parcels of Canadian Loud, a strain of cannabis, weighing 59.2 grams concealed within it.

Babafemi added that a follow-up operation led to the arrest of the owner of the consignment, Henry Onuma, at Dream City Estate, Life Camp.

In Lagos, he stated that NDLEA operatives on Friday, 13th February, raided a four-bedroom duplex at 2 Alexandria Terrace, Ikate-Elegushi, Lekki, allegedly used for the production and storage of Colorado, a synthetic cannabis.

Babafemi explained that the raid followed the seizure of 73 cartons of nitrous oxide at Iyare Motor Park along the Ajah–Epe Expressway, a consignment bound for Benin City, Edo State.

He said the driver, Amos Innocent, was arrested, while Victor Oyedeji was later apprehended at the Lekki residence, where 13.2 kilograms of freshly produced Colorado and precursor chemicals were recovered.

In Oyo State, Babafemi said a suspected female drug dealer, Oluwayemisi Bunmi, 45, was arrested at her base in the Hope Alakia area of Ibadan.

He stated that recovered exhibits included 1.189 kilograms of Colorado and skunk, 320 grams of methamphetamine, ₦2,975,000 in cash, and two Toyota Matrix vehicles with registration numbers JJJ 629 FQ and LND 602 AQ.

Babafemi also disclosed that 105,400 pills of tramadol were recovered from a suspect, Kamilu Abdullahi, 43, when his J5 vehicle marked DTM-765XA was intercepted at Bode Saadu area of Kwara State on Thursday, 12th February.

In Edo State, he said five suspects were arrested during a raid on Yoruba Camp, Olumoye Forest, in Ovia North East Local Government Area, where 563.5 kilograms of skunk were recovered.

Babafemi further stated that NDLEA commands nationwide sustained their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities in schools, worship centres, workplaces and communities.

He noted that enlightenment lectures were recently delivered in secondary schools across Oyo, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Katsina and Lagos States.