The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has declared a Nigerian couple, Kazeem Omogoriola Owoalade (also known as Abdul Qassim Adisa Balogun) and Rashidat Ayinke Owoalade (also known as Bolarinwa Rashidat Ayinke), wanted for allegedly operating a cocaine trafficking cartel from India.
This announcement was made by NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi in a statement issued on Sunday, following the arrest of four members of the cartel in Lagos. Babafemi revealed that an SUV and two houses linked to the couple have been seized and are set for forfeiture to the Nigerian government.
The crackdown on the cartel began with the arrest of Imran Taofeek Olalekan and Ishola Isiaka Olalekan on April 3. The duo was caught attempting to smuggle 3.40kg of cocaine to Oman via a Qatar Airlines flight from Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos.
Imran was identified as the courier, while Ishola was his recruiter, allegedly working under the orders of Alhaji Kazeem Omogoriola Owoalade, who resides in India under the name Abdul Qassim Adisa Balogun.
Babafemi detailed that extensive surveillance and follow-up operations over five weeks led to the arrest of another cartel member, Hamed Abimbola Saheed, on May 14 in the Abule Egba area of Lagos. Saheed, who reportedly facilitated Imran’s travel arrangements, was found in possession of 900 grams of phenacetine, a cocaine-cutting agent.
Further investigations took operatives to the couple’s residence at 20 Eyiaro Street, Ogudu Orioke, Lagos, where another suspect was detained. Additionally, a Toyota RAV4 SUV registered to Rashidat, 400 grams of cocaine, digital weighing scales, and suitcases intended for drug concealment were seized.
The NDLEA continues to dismantle the cartel’s network, urging the public to provide any information on the whereabouts of the wanted couple.
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