Five members of an international drug trafficking syndicate have been sentenced to a combined 21 years in prison by the Federal High Court in Lagos, following their arrest by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The convictions stem from a major bust at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, where operatives intercepted 17.9 kilograms of cocaine concealed in textile materials and charms bound for Sydney, Australia.
The convicted traffickers — Olasupo Michael Oladimeji, Muaezee Ademola Ogunbiyi, and Sola Adegoke — were arraigned on five counts related to drug trafficking. Subsequent investigations led to the recovery of 20.5 kilograms of Canadian Loud (a potent cannabis strain) from Ogunbiyi’s residence in Lekki, and the seizure of a black Range Rover SUV from Adegoke’s home in Ikeja GRA The Punch.
In a related ruling, Justice Alexander Owoeye ordered the final forfeiture of a four-bedroom apartment in Lekki and other assets linked to drug operations to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The property, allegedly owned by Femi Adebanjo, a syndicate leader residing in Canada, was used for narcotics storage and distribution sydenews.com.
The NDLEA has reiterated its commitment to dismantling drug cartels and recovering illicit assets, citing the forfeiture as a major win in its ongoing crackdown on organized crime.
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