The Traffic

End of the Road: NDLEA Arrests Notorious Drug Baron After 17 Years on the Run!"

By Achimi Muktar

After 17 years of evading justice, one of Nigeria’s most notorious drug lords, Ogbonnaya Kevin Jeff, has finally been captured. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) confirmed his arrest at his hideout in Lagos, marking a major victory in the fight against international drug trafficking.

According to NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, the 59-year-old suspect had spent nearly two decades orchestrating a billion-naira drug empire, smuggling illicit substances across continents while staying one step ahead of the law. His capture, facilitated by NDLEA’s Special Operations Unit, was based on an INTERPOL Red Notice and intelligence from South Korea’s National Intelligence Service.

“A Major Breakthrough” – NDLEA Chief

At a press briefing in Abuja, NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) hailed the arrest as a “significant breakthrough”, revealing that Jeff had recruited young Nigerians as drug couriers to smuggle illicit substances into South Korea.

"This is not just any arrest. This is the takedown of a drug kingpin who has wreaked havoc on countless lives. His operations spanned multiple countries, and his activities have been under surveillance for years,” Marwa stated.

The Drug Empire Exposed

Investigations unearthed shocking details about Jeff’s global drug syndicate, which stretched across Cameroon, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Liberia, and several East and Southern African nations.

He was previously jailed in South Korea in 2007 for drug-related offenses but resumed operations after being deported to Nigeria in 2008.

He orchestrated shipments of methamphetamine and cannabis concealed in everyday goods like dried chilies and jujube, sending them to international clients, including a Korean contact named Kim Dong Wook.

He laundered drug proceeds through electronics imports and held multiple Nigerian passports with Korean visas at the time of his arrest.

He commanded a network of traffickers, including “Santa Elizabeth Pieterse” and “Carl Yohan Stephan Brisman”, who smuggled over five kilograms of meth into South Korea between December 2023 and April 2024.

Authorities estimate that in recent months alone, he moved drugs worth over ₦1.4 billion in street value to South Korea.

Wanted for Life-Imprisonment Charges in Korea

South Korean authorities have issued two separate arrest warrants against Jeff for narcotics importation, a crime that carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment under Article 3-7 of South Korea’s Narcotics Control Act.

"Ogbonnaya Kevin Jeff is not just a domestic drug baron; he is an international trafficker operating both from Nigeria and abroad," Marwa explained.

The NDLEA chief further assured that the agency remains committed to ensuring Nigeria does not become a hub for international drug cartels.

“The arrest of Ogbonnaya is proof that no drug kingpin is beyond our reach. We will continue to collaborate with international partners to dismantle illicit drug networks and bring criminals to justice,” Marwa declared.

What’s Next?

With Jeff now in custody, NDLEA is set to prosecute him while working with South Korean authorities on possible extradition proceedings. His downfall signals a major warning to other drug traffickers still in hiding: No matter how long you run, the law will eventually catch up with you.