The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has declared Kazeem Omogoriola Owoalade and Rashidat Ayinke Owoalade wanted for allegedly orchestrating a cocaine trafficking operation from India. This declaration follows the arrest of four syndicate members in Lagos and the seizure of a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) and two properties linked to the couple, now sealed for forfeiture to the Federal Government.
The announcement was made in a statement by the NDLEA's Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, and posted on the agency’s website on Sunday.
The statement detailed, “Kazeem Omogoriola Owoalade, alias Abdul Qassim Adisa Balogun, and Rashidat Ayinke Owoalade, alias Bolarinwa Rashidat Ayinke, have been declared wanted for operating a cocaine cartel from India. This follows the arrest of four syndicate members in Lagos, the recovery of a Sports Utility Vehicle, and the sealing of two houses traced to them for forfeiture to the Federal Government.”
Two members of the cartel, Imran Taofeek Olalekan and Ishola Isiaka Olalekan, were apprehended on April 3, 2024, as they attempted to export 3.40 kg of cocaine via a Qatar Airlines flight from Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos. Imran, who was transporting the drugs, was recruited by Ishola on behalf of Kazeem Owoalade, identified as the cartel leader residing in India under the alias Abdul Qassim Adisa Balogun.
Intensive surveillance and follow-up operations led to a breakthrough after five weeks, culminating in the arrest of another cartel member, Hamed Abimbola Saheed, on May 14 at Abule Egba, Lagos. Saheed, who facilitated Imran's lodging and transport to the airport, was found with 900 grams of phenacetine, a cocaine cutting agent. He admitted that the substance was part of the consignment Imran was transporting when arrested.
Saheed's arrest prompted a raid on the Owoalade couple's residence at 20, Eyiaro Street, Ogudu Orioke, Lagos. During the raid, authorities arrested another suspect, confiscated a Toyota RAV4 SUV registered to Rashidat, and recovered 400 grams of cocaine, along with suitcases prepared for drug concealment, digital scales, and other trafficking equipment.
The NDLEA continues its efforts to dismantle the Owoalade's drug network and urges anyone with information on the couple's whereabouts to come forward.
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