The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has issued a wanted notice for a couple, Kazeem Omogoriola Owoalade and Rashidat Ayinke Owoalade, for their involvement in a cocaine cartel operating from India.
This action comes in the wake of the arrest of four syndicate members in Lagos, during which a Sports Utility Vehicle was seized and two properties linked to the couple were earmarked for forfeiture to the Federal Government.
According to a statement released by the agency's Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the couple, known by their aliases Abdul Qassim Adisa Balogun and Bolarinwa Rashidat Ayinke, are wanted for their role in the cocaine cartel. Additionally, two syndicate members, Imran Taofeek Olalekan and Ishola Isiaka Olalekan, were apprehended on April 3, 2024, while attempting to transport 3.40kg of cocaine on a Qatar Airlines flight destined for Oman via the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
Further investigations revealed that the mastermind behind the cartel is Alhaji Kazeem Omogoriola Owoalade, who holds an Indian residence permit under the name Abdul Qassim Adisa Balogun. Following surveillance and subsequent operations, another syndicate member, Hamed Abimbola Saheed, was arrested in Lagos on May 14, leading to the recovery of phenacetine, a cutting agent for cocaine, at his residence.
Subsequent operations at the Owoalade couple's residence in Lagos resulted in the arrest of another suspect and the confiscation of 400 grams of cocaine, along with items intended for drug concealment. In addition, NDLEA officers intercepted parcels containing cocaine and amphetamine bound for China and the UK, respectively.
Furthermore, an attempt to export 3.6kg of cannabis to Dubai was thwarted in Port Harcourt, leading to the arrest of the consignment's owner, Emeka Nwadiaro, in Onitsha, Anambra State.
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