NDLEA arrests India-bound businessman with cocaine, seizes N3.6bn worth of drugs in Lagos
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 48-year-old businessman, Nwankwo Innocent Onyebuchi, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, for allegedly attempting to traffic 1.550 kilogrammes of cocaine to India.
The arrest was made as the suspect was preparing to board a Qatar Airways flight to New Delhi, India, at Terminal II of the Lagos airport.
According to the NDLEA, the cocaine was concealed in the side walls and railings of his check-in bag in a factory-fitted compartment, apparently designed to evade detection during routine checks.
Nwankwo, a marble dealer based in Lagos, reportedly told investigators that he had liquidated his business and other assets to raise N23 million, which he paid for the consignment. He allegedly expected to sell the cocaine in India for as much as N100 million.
The NDLEA said the suspect’s arrest effectively ended his plan to make quick money through illicit drug trafficking. He remains in custody and is expected to face prosecution.
The agency’s latest operations also uncovered a massive stockpile of controlled medicines and illicit drugs in Lagos and other parts of the country.
In Lagos, NDLEA operatives, acting on intelligence, raided a warehouse located within a residential compound at Hakeem Dosumu Street, Ago Palace area of Okota.
The operation, conducted between Friday, August 7 and Saturday, August 8, led to the recovery of 3,776 cartons containing 377,600 bottles of codeine-based syrup. The consignment was valued at more than N2.6 billion, according to the agency.
In a separate operation in Lagos, NDLEA operatives raided the residence of a suspected drug kingpin, 55-year-old Shoremi Kayode, at Ogundare Street, Ipaja Estate, Ipaja.
The operation resulted in the seizure of 324kg of Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis, with an estimated street value of N972 million. Two vehicles, a Mercedes-Benz and a Toyota Corolla, were also recovered from the suspect.
The agency further reported major seizures in Kwara and Oyo states.
In Kwara State, 50-year-old Abubakar Adamu and 30-year-old Bilyaminu Nuhu were arrested at the Kam Wire area of Ilorin on Thursday, August 13. Operatives recovered 55.96kg of skunk from a truck marked DKA 350 XL.
In neighbouring Oyo State, NDLEA officers on patrol along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway arrested 70-year-old Abdulfatai Oyelaran and 50-year-old Abdulrauf Ajadi.
The suspects were travelling in a Toyota Sienna marked FFA-115KA when the vehicle was intercepted.
A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of 52,000 ampoules of pentazocine injection and 6,000 ampoules of tramadol injection.
The agency also recorded significant seizures along the Onitsha-Asaba Expressway in Delta State.
Two suspects, 43-year-old Osaro Ikpoba and 18-year-old Samuel Godbless, were arrested with 124,100 tramadol pills, 786 bottles of codeine syrup, 2,598 tablets of Rohypnol, 4,800 tablets of diazepam, 470 ampoules of pentazocine injection and 200 ampoules of tramadol injection.
Another suspect, 50-year-old Emeka Tony, was arrested along the Kwale-Ozoro Expressway with 1,244 pieces of cartridges and N8 million in cash.
In Plateau State, NDLEA operatives intercepted a Toyota Corolla, registration number MKD 341 EA, along the Riyom-Jos Road. The operation led to the recovery of 239,490 capsules of Tramaforce, a brand of tramadol, while a suspect identified as Kasum Sherif was arrested.
Kano State also recorded major drug seizures during the week. Six suspects – Okodili Ibeabuchi, 60; Onyeka Vincent, 47; Nwanko Wisdom, 36; Success Chigozie, 30; Emmanuel Jude, 27; and Chinedu Peter, 39 – were arrested on Monday, August 10, during a patrol along the Zaria-Kano Road.
NDLEA operatives recovered 728,958 pills comprising tramadol, Rohypnol and other opioids, alongside 360 grammes of cocaine, 99.8 grammes of methamphetamine, 50 bottles of codeine syrup and 2.7kg of Loud, another synthetic strain of cannabis.
In a separate operation at Zawaciki Gida Dubu in Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano State, NDLEA operatives recovered 171 blocks of skunk weighing 106.8kg. Two suspects, Mustapha Iliya, 30, and Abdulwahab Abdulrashid, 24, were arrested in connection with the seizure.
The agency also intensified its cannabis eradication activities in Edo State, where 4,628.9775kg of skunk was destroyed on two cannabis farms measuring 1.851591 hectares at Ugboku/Igbanke forest in Orhionmwon Local Government Area.
A 40-year-old suspect, Agholor Elebojie, was arrested at one of the farms during the operation.
In another operation at drug joints in the Oluku area of Benin City, 28-year-old Kingsley Anigala was arrested with 25.857kg of Loud and 93 grammes of methamphetamine.
The NDLEA said its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign also continued during the week, with commands conducting sensitisation programmes in communities and schools.
Among the activities were sensitisation lectures delivered to students and staff of Madarasatu Sheikh Muhammad Rabi’u Arabic School in Kano and Olomu Junior Secondary School in Ajah, Lagos State.
Commenting on the operations, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended the officers and personnel of the MMIA, Lagos, Kano, Kwara, Edo, Plateau, Oyo and Delta Commands for the arrests and seizures.
Marwa also praised personnel across other commands for maintaining what he described as a balance between drug supply reduction operations and drug demand reduction initiatives.
The latest operations underscore the agency’s continued efforts to disrupt drug trafficking networks, intercept illicit consignments and prevent controlled medicines and psychoactive substances from reaching communities across the country.
