National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has arrested a notorious drug trafficker previously convicted of dealing with 30.10kg of methamphetamine in 2023, following the seizure of 75 parcels of cocaine weighing 1.50 kilograms.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi in Abuja, yesterday.
Babafemi said the drugs, concealed in factory sealed sachets of cold-water starch, heading to the United Kingdom, was intercepted at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos.
He said three cargo agents involved in the attempt to export the consignments to the UK were swiftly arrested on Saturday, December 20 before further investigations unraveled the mastermind.
“He was arrested in a follow up operation on Sunday, December 21 at a popular relaxation centre in Ikeja where he went on a date with his girlfriend.
“The agency’s criminal database revealed that the mastermind had been arrested in May 2023 in connection with the seizure of 30.10kg methamphetamine.
“It was concealed in powdered custard containers as part of a consolidated cargo going to London, United Kingdom at the export shed of the Lagos airport.
“He was subsequently arraigned at the Federal High Court in charge number: FHC/L/337C/2023, convicted and sentenced to five years imprisonment with an option of N7million fine.
“This is along with one-month community service, with effect from December 4 2023. He paid the fine and soon after returned to the same crime“, he said.
In another successful operation, Babafemi said NDLEA operatives on Monday, December 22, set ablaze tons of skunk, a strain of cannabis and wooden warehouses in Ara forest, Ara-Ekiti.
He said in this operation, 638 kilograms of same psychoactive substance were also recovered.
He added that no fewer than 1,205 blocks of compressed cannabis sativa, weighing 883.1kg were recovered from three Toyota Camry vehicles intercepted by NDLEA operatives on patrol along Igara-Auchi road, Edo State on Monday, December 22.
Babafemi said in Cross River State, a raid conducted on Sunday, December 21 at Agoi-Ibami community, Yakurr Local Government Area, led to the arrest of three suspects and seizure of various quantities of skunk.
In another operation, he said a 42-year-old woman, Joy Oisamaye was arrested with 38kg of skunk by NDLEA operatives on patrol along Abaji-Abuja expressway on Monday, December 22.
According to him, Oisamaye was on her way from Otua in Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State.
The NDLEA spokesperson said operatives in Lagos also arrested a female suspect with 45.5kg of skunk on Christmas day, Thursday, December 25 at Agbara, along Badagry expressway.
Babafemi noted that another suspect was nabbed with 18.5kg of same substance at Itoga, Badagry, on Wednesday, December 24.
He said in Takum area of Taraba State, two other suspects were nabbed with 48kg of same substance on Tuesday, December 23 and Wednesday, December 24 respectively.
“In Gombe State, a 65-year-old driver was arrested while conveying 300 ampoules of pentazocine injection, 27,900 pills of tramadol and other opioids, along Gombe-Biu Highway, heading to Biu in Borno State”, he said.
He also said that a 47-year-old businessman wanted in connection with the seizure of 56 parcels of Loud and a strain of cannabis, weighing 26kg at Tincan seaport in Lagos, had been arrested by NDLEA.
Babafemi added that the illicit drug consignment was seized on December 10 during the joint examination of a container by NDLEA, Customs and other security agencies.
“A follow up operation by operatives on December 19 led to the arrest of one Ignatius in Apapa”, he said.
Babafemi said NDLEA had continued its War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitisation activities in schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week across all commands and formations.
These includes WADA enlightenment lecture to students and staff of Destiny Child Academy, Nkpor, Anambra State. NAN
