…Arrests 16 suspects, seizes tonnes of narcotics
Operatives from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency intercepted cocaine in different parts of a bag that was being carried by Nwadinobi Uchemadu (a Brazilian returnee) from Sao Paulo via Doha, on a Qatar Airways flight. The PUNCH Reports
Uchemadu was detained at Lagos Airport on Monday, December 5, after he discovered three packages of cocaine that weighed 2.70 kgs and were factory sealed in his travel bag.
Femibabafemi, the spokesperson for the antinarcotics agency said that the same day, agents at the SAHCO airport export shed also intercepted cans containing powdered milk and baby food. The cargo agent Ewelikechibuike was arrested and presented the consignment.
Meanwhile, an operation in Abbi, Ndokwa West LGA Delta State resulted in the arrest of Aniekem Evelyn (30), a pregnant dealer. The raid saw them seize 1,161kgs cannabis sativa from Evelyn’s warehouse.
The same operation was carried out on Thursday, December 8. Operatives also seized 6.30kgs of cannabis concealed in sound systems that were going to Malabo, Equatorial Guinea via the SAHCO Export shed of the airport. They later nabbed Mbanu Ifeanyi a second time in a follow up operation at ASPAMDA Market, Trade Fair complex in the Ojo region of Lagos.
The operatives also raided Akala which is a well-known drug hub in Lagos’ Mushin region. They arrested no less than 15 drug dealers and two women. They also seized 1,400kgs and 320 bottles codeine syrup.
On Saturday, December 10, another raid at the Idumota neighborhood of Lagos Island resulted in the seizure 35,014 tablets of tramadol and diazepam as well as 21.2 litres each of codeine syrup. The suspect is still on the loose.
On Monday, December 5, officers from the Directorate of Seaports Operations of NDLEA arrested Dembele Ousmane in Malian. He was carrying 32,400 pills of tramadol 225mg in factory-packed custard buckets. He was trying to travel to Mali by boat from Ebute -Ero Jetty at Lagos.
In Ondo state, operatives stormed sharp corner, a notorious hub in Ipele forest in the Owo area of the state on Tuesday, December 6, where they arrested Rotimi Oyekan and Precious Aluju with cannabis sativa weighing 903.3kgs, while another team of NDLEA officers arrested Babatunde Oluyara at the Igbotako area of the state, with 168.5kgs of the same substance; 6kgs of ‘monkey tail’ and various quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin.
Austine Julius was arrested along Yawuri-Kebbi highway in Kebbi State. Sale Yakubu and Sale Yakubu were both carrying 117 cannabis sativa bags weighing 1,070kgs in their Dyna Truck. They were hiding under orange bags.
Abdullahi Bala, and Ibrahim Wade, were also taken into custody on Monday, December 5, as they were driving along Koko- Kebbi Road in a Dyna Truck. They were carrying 114 bags of the same substance, weighing 1,140 kg, hidden under crates containing soft drinks.