NDLEA intercepts UK-bound cocaine hidden in cups, body cream

The operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted cocaine concealed in walls of stainless cups, body cream and hair gel containers.

The cocaine was intercepted by NDLEA operatives at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos State.

The NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this via a statement issued on Sunday, October 5, 2025.

Babafemi said the operation resulted in the arrest of five suspects and ultimately the arrowhead of the syndicate, Hammed Taofeek Ode, who parades himself as a businessman and real estate developer.

Babafemi said the beginning of the end of the criminal syndicate’s operations began on September 16 when NDLEA operatives at the export shed of Lagos airport intercepted 174 parcels of cocaine weighing 13.40 kilograms concealed in walls of cocoa butter body cream containers.

He stated that further investigations revealed Ode as the mastermind of the shipment and after weeks of intelligence.

Babafemi said it was established that the suspected drug baron had reported a dispute at the Zone 2 headquarters of the police in Lagos, after which the NDLEA sought the cooperation of the police to get the suspect into custody.

During his preliminary interview, Ode admitted ownership of the consignment which he claimed he bought at over N150 million.

Babafemi disclosed that five other desperate attempts by another criminal syndicate to export cocaine consignments to the United Kingdom were also thwarted by operatives of the MMIA Strategic Command of NDLEA.

NDLEA dismantles two cocaine cartels behind six UK-bound shipments

He said the unravelling of the gang started on September 26, following the seizure
of 2.10kg cocaine concealed in walls of hair cream containers at the export shed of the Lagos airport.

The NDLEA spokesman added that the apprehension of a cargo agent led to the arrest of the consignor, Smith David Korede, a furniture maker, on September 30 at his residence in the Oshodi area of Lagos, where another consignment of 1.40kg cocaine meant for export to the UK was recovered from him.

Babafemi said another consignment of 1.00kg cocaine with similar mode of concealment also going to the UK was also intercepted at the export shed of the airport.

He stated that the cargo agent arrested in connection with the 1.00kg cocaine also identified Smith David Korede as the consignor, bringing to three the number of seized cocaine consignments linked to the suspect.

Babafemi revealed that two other cocaine laden consignments going to the UK were also intercepted by NDLEA operatives at the export shed of the Lagos airport on Thursday, October 2.

Babafemi said two suspects, Ogunbiyi Oluseye Taiwo and Popoola Francis Olumuyiwa, linked to the seizures were arrested.

He said one of the consignments contained crayfish, and 12 pieces of stainless cups used to conceal 1.00kg cocaine, while the second consignment also containd crayfish, and 36 containers of hair cream used to conceal 1.60kg of cocaine.

The Star