NDLEA Intercepts N4.9bn Cocaine, Heroine in Lagos

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has seized fresh consignments of cocaine and heroin with a combined weight of 16.85 kilogrammes worth over N4.9 billion on the street at the Apapa seaport and Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, both in Lagos.

A statement yesterday by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi, while revealing major clampdown by the NDLEA in the last one week, said four persons are currently being investigated for the 13.65kg cocaine seized on board a ship, MV Karteria that came into the Apapa port from Santos, Brazil on Sunday 7th November.

The latest unsuccessful shipment followed an early interception barely three weeks ago of 32.9 kilogrammes of cocaine a Singaporean vessel, MV Chayanee Naree, which destination was also from Santos, Brazil.

Babafemi said in well coordinated follow- up operations, no fewer than five persons have been arrested in different parts of Lagos and Delta states in connection to the seizure of 3.2 kilogrammes heroin found on a passenger, Christian Osondu at the E- Arrival hall of the MMIA, on Friday 5th November, during the inward clearance of Air Peace flight passengers from South Africa.

According to him, a swift follow-up operation same day led to the arrest of one Ude Onyeka, at Mafoluku area of Oshodi, Lagos State.
He said Ude Onyeka confessed that his elder brother, Ikenna Ude, who is based in South Africa, had instructed him to collect the bag containing the drug and hand over to another person who was supposed to come from Delta State.

Babafemi also disclosed that a second follow-up operation led to the arrest of Abanjo Innocent, who came to Lagos from Delta State to pick the bag containing the drug around Cele Bus stop, Okota, on Saturday 6th November. He also confessed that he was contracted by one Oseki Chinedu, who is based in South Africa to travel to Lagos to collect the bag and bring it to Agbor junction, Delta State.

He said a third follow-up operation led to the arrest of Ihator Isioma at Agbor Junction, Delta State on Sunday 7th November.
Similarly, in Bayelsa State, NDLEA operatives on Saturday 13th November arrested one Obeluo Emeka from Anambra West Local Government Area of Anambra State with 600 grammes of heroin. The suspect, who is a motor spare parts dealer based in Douala, Cameroon had arrived Yenagoa by waterway to waybill the substance to an undisclosed address in
Lagos.

Babafemi also disclosed that not less than four suspects were arrested and different quantities of cocaine, cannabis, tramadol and methamphetamine seized from them during weekend raids at Rumuokoro, Elelenwo and Omagwa/Elele communities in Rivers state.
Those arrested, according to him, include; Elizabeth Iniama; Sir King Emmanuel; Godgift King; and Amadi Bright.

He also said a total of 18.51kg of assorted illicit drugs were recovered on Saturday 13th November when operatives raided a neighbourhood of Bayan Gari, and Sir Ahmadu Bello Way, Bauchi town, Bauchi state where two suspects; Mr. Gabriel Iwagbunan and Ms. Cecilia Ezena were arrested.

He said in another clampdown, a 23-year-old Hadiza Ibrahim was arrested on Saturday 12th November along Okene-Lokoja highway with 54 kilogrammes of cannabis, with one Sunday Nnam a.k.a Idowu was nabbed same day in Emene area of Enugu with 45 kilogrammes of same substance.

In the same vein, one Umar Muhammad was arrested with 25,700 capsules of Tramadol weighing 15.1 kilogrammes in Tudun Hatsi area of Gombe.

Babafemi said in Ogun state, following credible intelligence, two suspects, David Oduku, and Ifeanyi Raphael, were intercepted along Ore-Shagamu expressway with 364.98 kilogrammes of cannabis being conveyed in a blue Toyota Sienna bus, while two suspects; Buhari Jamiu and Ajibola Jimoh were arrested in the early hours of Sunday 14th November with 189 kilogrammes of cannabis at Olorunlagba, Bode-Saadu area of Kwara state.

Meanwhile, the Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), while commending the officers and men of Apapa port command and MMIA as well as their counterparts in Bayelsa, Rivers, Bauchi, Kogi, Enugu, Gombe, Ogun, and Kwara states for sustaining the maxim of offensive action against drug cartels in the country, charged them and their colleagues in other commands to remain vigilant at all times.