The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has thwarted a drug syndicate operating across Nigeria, South Africa, and Thailand.
In a recent statement released by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, it was revealed that five members of the cartel were apprehended, and a substantial quantity of illegal drugs were confiscated.
The syndicate employed various methods to conceal their activities, including hiding drugs within false suitcase bottoms and gas tankers.
However, NDLEA operatives diligently tracked them across multiple states, ultimately leading to their capture.
Moreover, the agency intercepted a gas tanker transporting 4,752kg of cannabis sativa and detained four individuals involved in the operation.
The statement said, “Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have smashed an international drug syndicate with networks in parts of Nigeria, South Africa and Thailand.
“No fewer than five members of the cartel were arrested in a two-week intelligence-led operation in Lagos, Abia and Anambra states following the seizure of their illicit drug consignments at the NAHCO import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos.
“The unravelling of the drug cartel started on Sunday, April 20 when their cargo of four big suitcases arrived at the NAHCO shed on an Air Peace airline flight from Johannesburg, South Africa.
Babafemi announced that after meticulous surveillance and investigation spanning several days, the initial suspect, Umeh Peter, was apprehended on Wednesday, April 24. His arrest came shortly after he appeared to collect two suitcases, which contained Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis belonging to Obum Michael, a member of the syndicate based in Thailand.
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The statement added, “The consignment of four parcels was concealed in false bottoms of the two suitcases, while the four suitcases contain a total of 17.6 kilograms Loud and drug candies.
“Another member of the syndicate, Chiwendu Ugbe whose South Africa-based husband, Aloytus Ugbe sent some of the consignments, was traced to Anambra State where NDLEA officers arrested her on Saturday, April 27 while attempting to collect the drug parcels sent to her by her husband.
“Two other suspects: Onyejakor Francis Chimezie and Naaji Valentine Chukwukere, with links to the cartel, were also arrested in parts of Lagos on Monday, April 29.
Babafemi reported that the apprehension of individuals led to a subsequent operation in Abia State, resulting in the arrest of Chinazo Osigwe while attempting to collect packages containing Loud and drug candies sent by her husband, Osigwe Chidiebere Anthony, who operates from South Africa.
NDLEA agents achieved notable successes across various states. On May 1, they intercepted a gas tanker on the Abuja-Abaji highway, uncovering 4,752kg of cannabis sativa concealed within the tank.
Four individuals were apprehended in connection with this seizure. Furthermore, NDLEA operations led to the arrest of suspects found with significant quantities of various drugs, such as cannabis sativa, codeine syrup, tramadol, and cocaine.
In Osun State, an ex-convict named Suleiman Usman was arrested in possession of cocaine and cannabis sativa. At the Seme border in Lagos, operatives intercepted a vehicle transporting 64kg of cannabis and apprehended the driver.
In Bauchi State, suspects were apprehended with substantial amounts of codeine and opioids, while in Benue State, another suspect was caught with 33kg of cannabis. Similarly, in Bayelsa State, a suspect was arrested with 12kg of cannabis.
(Punch)
