NDLEA intercepts N3.4bn drugs, arrests fake cop, mechanic

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has intercepted over 1.3 million pills of tramadol and other opioids, as well as about 6,000kg of cannabis, with a combined street value of more than N3.4bn in operations across several states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The agency also intercepted 1,200 parcels of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, weighing 603.75kg and valued at N1.81bn at the Tin-Can Island Port in Lagos.

The NDLEA disclosed this in a statement by its Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, on Sunday.

Babafemi stated that the shipment, which arrived from Montreal, Canada, on September 12, was placed under intensive monitoring following intelligence received by the agency.

According to him, the container was subjected to a joint physical examination with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies on Wednesday, September 16.

“The search uncovered 1,200 parcels of Canadian Loud concealed inside 31 black jumbo bags loaded in two Toyota Sienna vehicles within the 40-foot container,” the statement added.

In Delta State, Babafemi noted that NDLEA operatives arrested a 49-year-old man, Innocent Ekpe, who allegedly impersonated a senior police officer to evade scrutiny at checkpoints while transporting illicit drugs.

He stated that Ekpe was arrested on Wednesday, September 16, along the Benin-Onitsha Expressway in Asaba with 292.48kg of skunk concealed in his silver Toyota Sienna bus.

“Investigation established that Ekpe had long paraded himself as Godwin Emeka, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, using a forged ID card to escape scrutiny at checkpoints while transporting illicit consignments. An accomplice, 39-year-old Nduka Joseph, was arrested along with him,” he said.

In Edo State, operatives acting on intelligence raided an auto-repair workshop on Agbor Road, Benin City, where they arrested 45-year-old Matthew Ossai.

The agency’s spokesman disclosed that 48kg of Canadian Loud and 152g of methamphetamine were recovered from the workshop, which it alleged was being used as a front for storing illicit drugs.

In Niger State, Babafemi stated that three suspects, Bashir Usman, 20; Abubakar Nuhu, 18; and Abdulrahman Abdulwahab, 18, were arrested along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway at Chachi, Tafa Local Government Area.

According to him, the suspects were allegedly found with two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles, a magazine, a locally made pistol with a magazine and nine rounds of 9mm ammunition concealed in a black travel bag.

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Similarly, he noted two suspects, Aminu Isyaku, 23, and Jamilu Habibu, 25, were arrested on Friday along the Abaji-Abuja Highway.

Babafemi explained that more than 1.1 million assorted tramadol tablets and capsules, codeine syrup, methamphetamine and Exol tablets were recovered from the suspects, who allegedly concealed the drugs in eight sacks while transporting them from Onitsha, Anambra State, to Mararaba, Nasarawa State.

In Lagos, 48,900 pills of tramadol 225mg were recovered from a suspect, Onyeka Ofor, who was arrested at his residence in Aguda, Surulere.

Another suspect, Luke Ugokwe, was arrested after seven cartons of cannabis weighing 59kg were intercepted at a logistics company.

Babafemi said operatives also arrested 43-year-old Ibrahim Hudu at Apongbo, Lagos, where 998.38kg of nitrous oxide gas was recovered.

In Gombe State, he said 154,480 capsules of tramadol were recovered from two suspects, Sabi’u Umar, 27, and Hassana Muhammad, 19, who were arrested at Barunde and Gombe main market respectively.

Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives arrested 25-year-old Ifesinachi Godwin along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Imo State with 43.85kg of skunk.

In Ondo State, Babafemi said four suspects were arrested during a raid and destruction of a 5,000kg cannabis farm covering two hectares in Ita-Ogbolu Forest.

The suspects were identified as Blessing Effiong, Saviour Peter, David Friday Sunday and Ability Peter Sunday.

The NDLEA said 48kg of dry and fresh cannabis was recovered from the farm for prosecution.

Commending the officers and men of the affected commands, the NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), urged them to sustain the agency’s intelligence-driven operations.

Marwa also called for the continuation of what he described as a balanced approach to drug control efforts across the country.