NDLEA Busts International Drug Cartel, Seizes ₦5.3bn Cocaine Bound for Australia

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a major international drug trafficking network, intercepting cocaine valued at ₦5.3 billion and arresting three key suspects.

According to NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, the cartel operated across Nigeria, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates. The latest breakthrough followed weeks of surveillance and intelligence gathering, culminating in a raid at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

The seized cocaine was concealed in textile materials and was en route to Australia. The NDLEA described the operation as one of its most significant busts this year, preventing the drugs from reaching the international market.

NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) commended the officers involved, stressing the agency’s commitment to dismantling drug syndicates and safeguarding Nigeria’s image.

“This seizure is a strong message to international cartels that Nigeria will never be a safe haven for their criminal operations. We will continue to disrupt and dismantle their networks, both locally and globally,” Marwa said.

The arrested suspects are currently undergoing interrogation, and the agency confirmed that further investigations are underway to track other members of the syndicate and their financial networks.

Security experts have described the bust as a major victory in Nigeria’s war against narcotics, especially as the NDLEA intensifies its clampdown on drug traffickers within the country and beyond.