NDLEA busts major drug syndicates, seizes cocaine, meth bound for UK, Italy, others
In a series of coordinated operations, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted large quantities of illicit drugs, including cocaine, methamphetamine, and opioids, which were destined for the United Kingdom, Italy, Turkey, and Qatar.
Several suspects have been arrested in Lagos, Abuja, and other locations, thwarting the syndicates’ international smuggling plans.
This was contained in a statement by its Spokesperson, Femi Babafemi on Sunday.
The operations, based on credible intelligence, resulted in the recovery of 13 parcels of cocaine weighing 4.4 kg at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos.
The drugs were set to be flown to the UK via Frankfurt on a Lufthansa Airlines flight. The mastermind behind this shipment, Ekeocha Anayo Nelson, was tracked down and arrested on November 8.
Another significant interception occurred on November 11, when NDLEA operatives foiled the attempt of businessman Adegbite Solomon, also known as ‘Obama,’ to export 7,800 pills of tramadol, 180 Rohypnol tablets, and 60 bottles of codeine to Italy.
The drugs were concealed within food items as Solomon attempted to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Lagos. Solomon, who claimed to have previously lived in Europe as a street beggar before venturing into the logistics business, was arrested at the departure hall.
On November 15, NDLEA officers arrested Anoke Kingsley Roomy, who was attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Istanbul, Turkey, with 1,100 pills of tramadol hidden in his luggage.
In the same week, Abuja-based operatives, acting on a tip-off, raided a hotel in Lugbe and arrested Omeh Uchenna Jude and Anene Valentine Chigozie, who were caught with 1.8 kg of methamphetamine intended for Qatar.
Further south in Lagos, another arrest took place when Akande Moruf Olasunkanmi was apprehended on November 15 with 1.8 kg of methamphetamine at his home in the Lawanson area of Surulere, following an extensive surveillance operation.
Meanwhile, on November 16, a trans-border trafficker, Emmanuel Okechukwu Okeke, was nabbed with 50,000 pills of tramadol concealed in compartments of a Toyota Hummer Bus coming from Ghana. The vehicle was intercepted at Ijanikin, near the Lagos-Badagry expressway.
NDLEA operatives also intensified their fight against local drug production and distribution. In Edo State, the agency recovered nearly a ton of cannabis (997 kg) during raids in various parts of the state.
In addition, 65,730 capsules of tramadol were seized in Kano, while several other drug busts were carried out across Kwara and Imo states, where large quantities of cannabis were seized.
Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), Chairman/CEO of the NDLEA, praised the agency’s operatives for their continued success in curbing drug trafficking.
He commended their efforts, stating that their work has significantly contributed to the reduction of drug supply and demand across Nigeria.
Marwa further emphasised the agency’s commitment to not only intercepting narcotics but also engaging in sensitisation programs across schools, religious centres, and communities.
Recent drug awareness lectures were held in various institutions, including schools in Adamawa, Rivers, Benue, Sokoto, Anambra, and Lagos states.
