• NDLEA arrests three blind members of drug syndicate; intercepts 3.2kgs Saudi-bound cocaine
A total of fourteen million, four hundred and eighty-one thousand, five hundred and nineteen (14,481,519) pills of Tramadol and bottles of codeine syrup, with an estimated street value exceeding thirteen billion Naira (N13,000,000,000), have been recovered by the diligent operatives of the National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
These significant seizures were made in three major operations targeting drug cartels operating in the areas of Amuwo Odofin, Idumota, and the SAHCO shed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos.
In an official statement released by the Director of Media Advocacy at NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Mr. Femi Babafemi, the successful operations were meticulously planned, intelligence-led endeavors.
The series of actions commenced with a raid on House 8/10 Hon. Wahuha Avenue, Divine Estate, Ago Palace in the Amuwo Odofin area on Sunday, 29th October.
During this operation, a total of 490,000 pills of Tramadol and 81,519 bottles of codeine syrup, equivalent to 4,510,000mls, were seized.
In a parallel operation on Tuesday, 31st October, NDLEA operatives targeted a concealed warehouse operated by a prominent Idumota trader, Nwaoha Anayo, located in Onitire, Aguda, Surulere.
This operation resulted in the seizure of Twelve Million Seven Hundred Thousand (12,700,000) pills of Tramadol.
Simultaneously, at the Lagos airport’s Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) warehouse, at least six members of a syndicate were apprehended.
They were exploiting their official roles to facilitate the smuggling of illicit drugs into the country.
The painstaking operation, spanning several weeks, led to the arrest of these individuals and the confiscation of One Million Two Hundred and Ten Thousand (1,210,000) pills of Tramadol.
Notably, six suspects are currently in NDLEA custody, while three others are on the run and wanted by the agency.
In a separate incident at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) in Abuja on Sunday, 29th October, NDLEA operatives intercepted a 50-year-old businessman, Nwokolo Ifeanyi Anthony, during the outward clearance of Air France flight AF 878 to Amsterdam, Netherlands via Paris, France.
Subsequent body scanning revealed positive indicators of illicit drug ingestion. During his observation period, the suspect excreted a total of 86 pellets of heroin, weighing 1.330 kilograms.
Furthermore, NDLEA operatives from the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI), deployed in courier firms, intercepted 22 parcels of cocaine concealed within cartons containing sewn local fabrics, commonly referred to as Aso Oke.
These parcels were en route to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
A remarkable operation led to the arrest of three visually impaired individuals engaged in an illicit drug ring operating between Lagos and Kano.
The discovery was triggered by the apprehension of a blind suspect, Adamu Hassan, on Gwagwalada expressway in Abuja on Saturday, 28th October.
He was found in possession of 12 kilograms of skunk, although he claimed to be unaware of the package’s contents.
Subsequent investigations revealed Bello Abubakar, another blind individual, as the mastermind of the syndicate.
Two other suspects, Muktar Abubakar and Akilu Amadu, were also implicated in the criminal enterprise.
In addition to these operations, NDLEA officers conducted significant actions in different regions.
In Osun, a suspect named Monday Sylvester was arrested in the Obada sawmill forest in Owena-Ijesa, Oriade LGA, where a 6.01-hectare cannabis farm was dismantled, and 489.8 kilograms of processed plant material were recovered.
In Edo, a trans-loading point within Avbiosi forest, Owan West LGA, was raided, resulting in the seizure of 603 kilograms of illicit substances.
Moreover, in Ogun state, officers recovered a Toyota Sienna bus from a ditch along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, leading to the confiscation of 460 kilograms of the same substance.
An additional 116.5 kilograms of cannabis sativa belonging to an at-large suspect were seized in Olagunju, Mushin, Lagos.
Throughout the past week, NDLEA commands and formations continued their campaign against drug abuse through various educational lectures and awareness programs.
These lectures were held in collaboration with educational institutions and state authorities across the country, aimed at enlightening students and the public about the dangers of drug abuse.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), commended the officers and personnel of various commands and formations for their remarkable arrests and seizures during the week. He encouraged them to maintain their focus and dedication as the Agency expands its operations against drug cartels.
