Crime

NDLEA Dismantles International Drug Ring at Lagos Airport, Seizes 51kg of Cannabis Strain ‘Loud’

Published by Tope Fakinlede on May 25th, 2025.

NDLEA Dismantles International Drug Ring at Lagos Airport, Seizes 51kg of Cannabis Strain ‘Loud’

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have uncovered and dismantled an international drug trafficking network operating through Lagos. The operation led to the arrest of four suspects, including two British nationals, and the seizure of over 51kg of a potent cannabis strain commonly known as “Loud.”

The suspects—identified as Mhizha Jordan Alexander Tatendra, Ayedipe Andrew Adejuwon (a Nigerian-British dual citizen), and two Nigerians, Shonowo Oluwaseun Imole and Ofuoma Omokaro Ayobami—were apprehended at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.

According to a statement released on Sunday, May 25, 2025, by NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the arrest followed coordinated intelligence efforts. Alexander arrived from Doha aboard a Qatar Airways flight on May 15 and was discreetly tracked by NDLEA officers after collecting the cargo.

Rather than intercepting him immediately, agents allowed him to proceed to the airport parking lot, where he met with Ayedipe and his associates. As they attempted to leave the premises in an SUV, NDLEA agents intervened and found 92 bags of Loud, weighing a total of 51.10kg, inside the vehicle.

During questioning, Alexander revealed he was offered £1,300 for successfully delivering the package, which he was recruited to transport while on vacation. Ayedipe, identified as the leader of the syndicate, admitted he had flown into Nigeria from South Africa via Ghana just a day before the incident.

Further investigations led NDLEA operatives to an apartment in Lekki linked to the group. There, they recovered N93,000 and 17,200 South African Rand during Ayedipe’s arrest. A deeper search uncovered an additional N3,810,500 in cash, an Apple laptop, an iPhone 14 Pro Max, and four canisters of nitrous oxide (commonly known as laughing gas).

The NDLEA confirmed that investigations are ongoing and assured the public of its continued efforts to disrupt international drug trafficking networks targeting Nigeria.