The agency in a statement said sustained intelligence gathering and surveillance eventually led operatives to the suspect’s location in Surulere, Lagos, where she was arrested.

 

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 39-year-old female stash keeper Shodunke Yetunde Simbiat in Lagos after recovering 23.50 kilograms of cocaine concealed inside her residence.

 

The arrest followed months of investigations linked to a trans-border drug trafficking syndicate earlier uncovered by the NDLEA in Lagos and Ogun states, with officers continuing follow-up operations to apprehend remaining members.

 

The agency in a statement said sustained intelligence gathering and surveillance eventually led operatives to the suspect’s location in Surulere, Lagos, where she was arrested.

 

 

Explaining how the suspect was identified and tracked, the NDLEA said, “Determined to rein in every member of the syndicate, the NDLEA operatives continued with follow up intelligence and surveillance on the trans-border drug trafficking organization until a 39-year-old female stash keeper Shodunke Yetunde Simbiat was identified as a key member of the DTO. As a result, she was trailed to her 31 Onasanya street, Surulere, Lagos residence on Tuesday 9th December 2025.”

 

The agency said a search was carried out at the residence following the arrest, which led to the recovery of the drug consignment.

 

Giving details of what was found during the operation, the statement said, “A thorough search of her home led to the discovery of blocks of cocaine weighing 23.50 kilograms concealed in a black suit case recovered from her children’s room. She admitted ownership of the drug consignment worth over N5billion in street value.”

 

The NDLEA said investigations into the case are ongoing.