NDLEA arrests Shodunke Yetunde Simbiat, a key member of a Lagos-Ogun cocaine trafficking syndicate, seizing 23.5kg of cocaine worth over N5 billion, as part of ongoing operations across Nigeria

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested 39-year-old Shodunke Yetunde Simbiat, a suspected key member and stash keeper of a cocaine trafficking syndicate previously dismantled in Lagos and Ogun states.

Also read: NDLEA Drug Bust MMIA Exposes Major Cocaine, Tramadol Smuggling Ring

The arrest follows a 20-month-long investigation into a cartel led by Bolanle Lookman Dauda and Olayinka Toheebat Dauda, who were apprehended on May 25, 2024, along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway with 42 blocks of cocaine weighing 47.5 kilograms.

A follow-up raid at their Ogun State residence recovered an additional 10 kilograms, bringing the total seizure to 57.5 kilograms.

NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi said Simbiat was tracked to her residence at 31 Onasanya Street, Surulere, Lagos, 2025.

During a search, officers recovered 23.5 kilograms of cocaine concealed in her children’s room, valued at over N5 billion in street value.

Simbiat admitted ownership of the consignment.

In a separate operation at Terminal II of Murtala Muhammed International Airport, NDLEA arrested 36-year-old Nwanwene Robinson Destiny with 1,020 pills of Tramadol 225mg and Tapentadol 200mg, while a 48-year-old Beninese, Leocardi Josu, was apprehended at the Seme border with 3,400 Tramadol tablets.

Additional operations across the country included arrests of Abdullahi Adamu (28.4kg of skunk) along the Okene/Lokoja highway, Ogunlade Kazeem and Adeleke Ismail (185.4kg of skunk) at Ibadan, Charles James (405kg of skunk) in Osun State, and Jamilu Zakari (14,960 pills of Tramadol) on the Abuja–Kaduna highway.

Also read: NDLEA Officer Killed in Ondo Raid, Four Arrested by Police

NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the officers for their diligence and urged continued vigilance during the festive season to curb drug supply and demand across Nigeria.