NDLEA Uncovers Lagos Cocaine Cartel: Couple Arrested, N2.1 Billion in Drugs Seized (Photos)

Agbakoba John Mmadu and Agbakoba Ijeoma Chinwe, a Nigerian couple reportedly heading a Lagos-based high-profile cocaine syndicate have been arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The couple was arrested alongside one of their associates, identified as Okoye Ifeoma Maryjane, during a raid where large consignments of the class A drug meant for export and local distribution were recovered.

The NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, announced in a statement on Sunday that a special operations unit conducted a raid on a notorious drug syndicate, following months of intelligence gathering and surveillance. 

The syndicate is known for packaging, distributing, and trafficking cocaine both within Nigeria and internationally.

Babafemi said, “The 54-year-old Agbakoba John Mmadu was arrested at Ago palace way, Okota while his wife, Agbakoba Ijeoma Chinwe, 39, and associate, Okoye Ifeoma Maryjane, 31, who doubles as their stash keeper, were nabbed at Plot 2205 Eugene Ndubisi close, Lilly Estate, Amuwo Odofin area of Lagos, all on Wednesday, 3rd July 2024.

“While seven parcels of cocaine with a total weight of 7.652 kilograms were recovered from Mmadu at Ago palace way, not less than one hundred and twenty-two (122) compressed pellets of the same drug weighing 2.42kg were seized from the duo of Ijeoma and Ifeoma at Lilly Estate, bringing the total seizure to 10.1 kilograms valued at over N2.1 billion in street value.”