The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has dismantled at least six drug trafficking syndicates, leading to the seizure of tons of illicit substances and the arrest of nine kingpins in a series of intelligence-led operations across the country.
The NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr. Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, describing the operation as a blistering crackdown on drug cartels ahead of the festive season.
Babafemi said two members of a drug trafficking network were arrested in Onitsha, Anambra State, on Nov. 18 after they showed up to pick up a consignment comprising 5.40kg of methamphetamine, 10.70kg of “Loud” (a strong cannabis strain), 16g of cocaine, 200g of phenacetin, 200g of methcathinone, and 100g of caffeine. The illicit substances had been concealed in imported pressure machine cylinders from South Africa.
He said the first suspect, a 30-year-old electrical appliances dealer, was arrested at a logistics company where the drugs were to be collected, followed moments later by the arrest of a 51-year-old returnee from South Africa.
According to Babafemi, the shipment had earlier been seized at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos on Nov. 13 upon arrival from South Africa on a Tag-Angola flight.
At the same airport, NDLEA operatives on Nov. 20 intercepted a brake servo automobile part used to hide 48 pellets and a block of cocaine weighing 2.30kg, headed for Gabon. A freight agent and an auto parts dealer were subsequently arrested after a follow-up operation at the Trade Fair Complex in Ojo, Lagos.
In Kogi State, operatives on Nov. 17 seized a trailer loaded with 4,700kg of skunk in Kabba and arrested three suspects. A follow-up operation in Jos, Plateau State, on Nov. 21 led to the arrest of the kingpin who allegedly owned both the trailer and the drugs.
Additionally, on Nov. 19, a couple were arrested at a warehouse in Ugep, Yakur LGA of Cross River State, where 362 jumbo bags of skunk weighing 4,706kg were recovered.
In Benin City, Edo State, two women who produce and sell drug-laced brownies online were arrested on Nov. 22. One suspect had 12 plates and a cup of the drug-laced confection, while the other was caught with 76g of skunk, 1.5g of Colorado, and more brownies. Another raid in Ososo, Akoko Edo LGA, on Nov. 18 led to the arrest of 35-year-old Shedrack Aminu with 59kg of skunk.
Justifying the intensified operations, NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, said drug syndicates typically exploit the festive period to expand their illegal activities.
“Drug cartels may attempt to increase their operations during the busy holiday period. We must not, and we will not, let down our guard,” he said.
