•••INTERCEPTS LARGE CONSIGNMENTS OF DRUGS IN KADUNA, YOBE, PLATEAU
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, has apprehended two expectant mothers and one barber, over drug peddling, last week.
The drug peddlers were picked up at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.
The Agency equally added that its operatives intercepted large consignments of psychoactive substances in parts of Northwest, Northeast and North central, zones of the country.
It was gathered that the operatives of the NDLEA, at the Murtala arrested the suspects for attempting to import and export illicit drugs through the airport.
One of the suspects, a Brazilian returnee, Nworie Phillip Chikwendu, was arrested on Tuesday May 3 during an inward clearance of passengers on Qatar Airways flight from Sao Paulo, Brazil enroute Doha to Lagos.
According to a statement by the Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Headquarters, Abuja, the arrest was made during a thorough search of his luggage.
Babafemi hinted that two parcels of cocaine were discovered which were concealed in a pair of brown slippers hidden in his ox blood backpack.
He explained that further search of the pairs of black slippers worn by the suspect, showed two parcels of cocaine built into the soles of his foot wears, thereby bringing the total to four parcels weighing 800grams.
“When undergoing preliminary interview, Nworie who claimed to be a barber in Sao Paulo, said he came to Nigeria for the burial of his father.
“He confessed he decided to get into the criminal act because his trip was sponsored by his Brazil-based friend who gave him the drug to deliver in Lagos for a fee of N2, 000, 000.” Babafemi hinted.
The statement further claimed that on Wednesday May 4, NDLEA operatives at the SAHCO export shed of the Airport intercepted some cartons of alcoholic drinks suspected to contain illicit drugs.
According to the statement, a freight agent who brought the consignment for export to Dubai, UAE, one Shola Ogunrinde, was immediately arrested while a follow up operation led to the arrest of a pregnant woman, Mrs. Seun Babatunde, who operates an alcohol joint in Iyana Ipaja, Lagos.
“When the cartons were opened in the presence of the agent and the pregnant owner, seven parcels of cannabis and a sachet of ecstasy drug (MDMA) were found concealed inside cans of black bullet alcoholic drinks.
“In her confession, Mrs. Babatunde claimed the drugs were being sent to her husband who lives in Dubai.
“The second pregnant woman, Mrs. Gloria Asibor was arrested on Thursday May 5, while attempting to board a Turkish Airline flight to Bolonia, Spain via Istanbul, Turkey.
“A search of her luggage containing food items led to the discovery of 300 tablets of 200mg and 225mg high dosage Tramadol concealed in crayfish.” The statement reads.
According to the NDLEA, large consignments of psychoactive substances was intercepted in parts of Northwest, Northeast and North central.
The Agency disclosed that in Kaduna State, a drug dealer, Obinna Anene, a.k.a, Young Alhaji, was arrested on Friday, May 6, at Buwaya, Kaduna with 50,000 tablets of Diazepam, weighing 9kg; 595 tablets of Tramadol weighing 318grams and 8 tablets of Co-codamol weighing 6grams.
According to the statement from the Agency, a trafficker, Alhaji Modu Yahaya, was caught with 26.5kg cannabis in Damaturu, Yobe State, while travelling in a commercial vehicle from Abuja to Maiduguri, Borno State.
“At least, nine drug dealers were arrested by operatives in Lagos on Thursday 5th May during raids in black spots in Mushin Olosha and Akala as well as Langbasa and Ikota in Ajah area of the state with different quantities of Cocaine, Heroin, Methamphetamine, Cannabis, and Skuchies.
“Those arrested include: Kehinde Ilori; Osho Demola Nurudeen; Kamarudeen Isiaka; Kazeem Ishola; Afeez Adebolade; Oguntana Aduragbemi; Chuks Alowai; Mrs. Bola Kazeem and Kehinde Ogunleye” Femi Babafemi, stated.
He explained that in Plateau State, the NDLEA operatives on Saturday 7, May intercepted a truck carrying 673.3kg cannabis along Bassa-Rukuba Barracks road in Jos.
The statement further stated that the driver and his assistant fled into the bush, after sighting the operatives.
” In other parts of the state capital, two dealers, Manga Emmanuel and Yusuf Usman, were arrested with 34 pinches of cocaine and 400grams of cannabis at Old Airport and Rikkos respectively.” He said.
The statement quoted the Chairman and Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), as having commended the officers and men of the MMIA, Kaduna, Yobe, Lagos and Plateau State, Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures.
“He charged them and those in other Commands across the country to sustain the heat on drug cartels as well as balance their drug supply and demand reduction efforts.” He said.
