NDLEA busts international drug syndicate, arrests 2 Brits, 2 Nigerians at Lagos Airport

In a major victory against international drug trafficking, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested four suspects including two British nationals at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos.

The suspects were apprehended while attempting to smuggle a staggering 92 bags of “Loud,” a highly potent strain of cannabis, into Nigeria. The illegal consignment weighed a total of 51.10 kilograms.

According to the NDLEA, the operation was the result of a well-coordinated surveillance effort carried out on Thursday, May 15, 2025. The arrested individuals include Mhizha Jordan Alexander Tatendra (a British citizen), Ayedipe Andrew Adejuwon (a dual Nigerian-British national), Shonowo Oluwaseun Imole, and Ofuoma Omokaro Ayobami—both Nigerian citizens.

The agency described the bust as a significant blow to drug cartels targeting Nigeria’s borders as transit or destination points for illicit substances.

NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd.), praised the professionalism of the operatives involved and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks operating within and beyond the country’s borders.

According to a statement released on Sunday by Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA’s Director of Media & Advocacy, the operation began when Alexander was intercepted upon arrival in Lagos from Doha, Qatar, on a Qatar Airways flight.

Based on processed intelligence, NDLEA officers monitored Alexander as he passed through airport security undetected and proceeded to the car park, where he was met by Adejuwon, believed to be the kingpin of the smuggling operation, along with Imole and Ayobami, who was driving the SUV intended to receive the drug shipment.

Babafemi explained that as the group attempted to leave the airport premises, NDLEA operatives swooped in, arresting all four suspects and recovering the cannabis consignment from the vehicle.

He said a follow-up operation at the suspects’ residence in Lekki, Lagos, uncovered additional evidence, including N3,810,500 in cash, an Apple MacBook, an iPhone 14 Pro Max, four canisters of nitrous oxide (popularly known as laughing gas), N93,000 in local currency, and 17,200 South African Rand.

The statement stated: “Meanwhile, two British nationals: Mhizha Jordan Alexander Tatendra and Ayedipe Andrew Adejuwon as well as two Nigerians: Shonowo Oluwaseun Imole and Ofuoma Omokaro Ayobami have been arrested by NDLEA operatives for attempting to smuggle into Nigeria 92 bags of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis weighing 51.10kg through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA Ikeja Lagos.

“Alexander was intercepted with the consignment upon his arrival at the MMIA on a Qatar Airline flight from Doha based on processed intelligence on Thursday 15th May.

“He was allowed to pass through the security control unhindered and closely monitored by NDLEA operatives to the car park, where the owner of the cargo, Ayedipe Andrew Adejuwon, who is a Nigerian British, was waiting in an SUV along with his relation Shonowo Oluwaseun Imole and the driver of the vehicle, Ofuoma Omokaro Ayobami, to receive the courier.

“The NDLEA operatives tracking them however swooped on them as they attempted to drive out of the airport car park, arresting them with the drug exhibits in the vehicle.

“In his statement, Alexander confessed he was recruited during his vacation weeks ago while he was promised 1,300 British Pounds after a successful delivery of the consignment in Lagos.

“The arrowhead of the syndicate, Ayedipe Andrew Adejuwon, confessed that he arrived in Nigeria a day earlier from South Africa through Ghana.”

“A follow-up operation at their apartment in Lekki led to more discoveries. At the point of his arrest, N93,000 and 17,200 South African Rand were recovered from him while a search of his Lekki apartment, led to the seizure of Three Million Eight Hundred and Ten Thousand Five Hundred Naira (N3,810,500) cash, an Apple laptop, an iPhone 14 Pro Max and four laughing gas (Nitro Oxide) canisters,” the statement added.