NDLEA arrests wanted kingpins over illicit drugs – Businessday
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), on Sunday, announced the arrest of two ladies and two men wanted in connection with over 16,000 kilograms (16 tons) of illicit drugs intercepted in Lagos, Abuja, and the Netherlands.
Femi Babafemi, spokesperson of the NDLEA, in a statement on Sunday, said operatives of the agency arrested 48-year-old Aro Aderinde on October 16 over his involvement in the exportation of 3,149kgs cannabis sativa concealed in coconut fibres.
Also, two women: Hauwawu Bashiru and Basirat Yahaya linked to an attempt to export 90 kilograms of methamphetamine through Anietie Effiong, of Promise of Zion Church, Oron, Akwa Ibom State, were equally arrested in Lagos and moved to Uyo to face charges alongside the clergyman who was earlier arrested on Saturday, August 16.
The agency further said an alleged notorious drug dealer in the Mushin-Isolo axis of Lagos, Monday Michael, 45, was also arrested on Monday, October 17, while conveying 365.7kgs of cannabis in two Toyota Sienna space buses marked FST 189 FD and FST 273 GF.
Another alleged drug lord, Abdulkadir Mohammed, 47, wanted over the seizure of 5,640kgs cannabis at a warehouse in Chukuku area of Kuje, Abuja, was nabbed on Sunday, October 16, following the arrest of his wife, Saadatu Abdullahi, 35, who was found at the store when it was raided.
“In Edo, at least 10 suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure of 4,870.2kgs cannabis in the state. On Wednesday, October 19, operatives stormed Ohusu forest boundary, Ovia southwest local government area where they recovered a total of 3,159.7kgs and arrested three suspects: Effiong Udo, Daniel Ebong, and Asuquo Effiong.
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“Similarly, on Saturday, October 22, operatives intercepted a Toyota Sienna space bus conveying 49 bags of cannabis sativa weighing 638.5kgs along Uwenusi road in Uhunmonde LGA, while 36kgs of the same substance stored in the bush along Uromi/Ubiaja road were equally recovered. In another operation, three suspects: John Paul, Liberty Rolland, and Aboki Stephen were arrested at Okpe in Akoko Edo with 55kgs of cannabis.
According to the NDLEA, “no less than 127kgs of cannabis sativa were seized and a suspect, Pius Okon John arrested while 854kgs of the same substance were recovered when operatives raided Okpe forest where some cannabis farms were destroyed. Three suspects are David Obada, Blessing Okechukwu and Odoh Sunday caught with the 854kgs cannabis sativa were arrested.
“In Ondo State, operatives stormed the Aponmu forest in Idanre LGA where 52 bags of cannabis sativa weighing 676kgs and the truck being used to load the consignment were recovered on Sunday, October 16, while the trio of Christopher Amuzoga, Chikogu Samuel and Ijeoma Okenna were arrested with 690kgs of cannabis at Ipele forest on Tuesday, October 18.
“In Kano, operatives arrested Isah Suleman Mohammed and Sandra Okafor at Dakata area on Friday, October 21 after they were caught with 538 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 391.2kgs; 259,000 tablets of tramadol; 100 bottles of Codeine based syrup, and 150,000 tablets of pregabalin.
“This followed the arrest of Abel John and Helen James with 328.7kgs cannabis sativa at Gonin gora area of Kaduna, while 5,000 tablets of tramadol and 25,000 tablets of Exol-5 were recovered along Abuja-Kaduna express road. Similarly, vein, a suspect, Yahaya Musa, was arrested on Sunday, October 16 at Tashar Yari, Kaduna, with over 30,000 tablets of tramadol, diazepam and exol-5.
“In Bauchi, a suspect, Ogbonna Ikechukwu, was arrested at Gadar Maiwa, Ningi LGA, with 67, 960 tablets of various types of psychotropic substances while in Akwa Ibom State, operatives raided the Marina Market, Eket, where quantities of illicit substances along with N1,193.060 cash and N849,000.00 fake currency were recovered from fleeing suspects.
Reacting to the arrests, the NDLEA chairman, Buba Marwa, described the arrest of the fleeing drug kingpins as “a warning to those still in the criminal illicit drug trade that the long arm of the law will soon catch up with them”
Marwa charged officers and men across all commands to intensify the heat on the drug cartels until they are dismantled.
