Lagos, Nigeria – The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has apprehended a suspected leader of a major cocaine trafficking syndicate. Officers identified the suspect as Shodunke Yetunde Simbiat. She allegedly served as the stash keeper for the criminal group. Significantly, this arrest happens 20 months after the agency disrupted the main cartel.
Shodunke Yetunde Simbiat and the Drug Bust
Operatives tracked Simbiat to her residence in Surulere, Lagos, on Tuesday, December 9, 2025. Consequently, they conducted a thorough search of the house on Onasanya Street. During this operation, agents discovered 23.50 kilograms of cocaine. The suspect concealed the drugs inside a black suitcase within her children’s room.
Furthermore, the agency values this seizure at over N5 billion. NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi confirmed the details in a statement on Sunday.
Babafemi noted, “She admitted ownership of the drug consignment worth over N5billion in street value.”
Additionally, the spokesman explained the long-term surveillance involved. Operatives monitored the trans-border drug trafficking organisation closely. Eventually, they identified the 39-year-old female as a crucial member.
Connection to the Dauda Cocaine Cartel
This recent success links directly to a previous victory against drug lords. In May 2024, NDLEA operatives smashed a cartel led by a couple. Officers arrested Bolanle Lookman Dauda and Olayinka Toheebat Dauda at that time.
Specifically, agents caught the couple at Ibiye along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway. They were attempting to cross the land border into Ghana with cocaine. At that scene, officers recovered 42 blocks of cocaine weighing 47.5 kilograms.
Subsequently, a follow-up operation occurred at their home in Agbara, Ogun State. There, agents found eight more blocks weighing 10 kilograms.
Regarding the latest arrest of Simbiat, the statement clarified the connection.
“Determined to rein in every member of the syndicate, the NDLEA operatives continued with follow-up intelligence,” the statement read.
Airport Interceptions and Other Seizures
In a related development, NDLEA officers stopped a businessman at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. Nwanwene Robinson Destiny tried to board a flight to Milan, Italy, on December 18.
Operatives found 1,020 pills of tramadol and tapentadol in his luggage. Surprisingly, the suspect claimed he would receive only €200 for the job.
Meanwhile, officers at the Seme border arrested Leocardi Josu on the same day. The 48-year-old Beninoise attempted to enter Nigeria with 3,400 tramadol tablets.
Also, the agency recorded successes in other states. For instance, agents arrested Abdullahi Adamu along the Okene/Lokoja highway with 28.4kg of cannabis.
The statement added, “In Oyo state, NDLEA operatives on Friday 19th December recovered 125,000 capsules of tramadol.”
Similarly, officers in Osun State raided the Owena/Ijesha forest. They seized 405 kilograms of skunk and arrested Charles James. Finally, the NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the officers. He urged them to remain vigilant during the festive season.
