…OTHERS NABBED ON EUROPE-DUBIA-BOUND TRIPS WITH 4KG OF METHEPHETAMINE AT LAGOS, ABUJA AIRPORTS
A 35-year-old physically challenged lady, Kasarachi Onumajuru, has been arrested alongside 11 other members of the drug trafficking syndicates operating in Lagos State, by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.
The suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures of different sizes and kilograms of drugs at the Lagos and Abuja airports.
According to the Agency, Kasarachi Onumajuru who hides under her condition to deal on drugs, was arrested on Sunday, May 29. She hails from Umudumaonu community, Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo state.
It was stated that the several attempts by agents of drug cartels to break through the security at Nigeria’s main airports in Lagos and Abuja with large consignments of assorted illicit substances were thwarted by operatives of the NDLEA.
On Friday, May 20, one Ofor Chima Chileobi, was arrested in connection with seizures made at the two airports while attempting to export to Dubai, UAE, 200 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 30.20kg.
He was alleged to have concealed the drugs in 40 sacks of bitter leaf through the SAHCO export shed, a cargo wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.
The Network gathered that On the same day, 10 cartons of khat with a gross weight of 354.600kg were also seized at the NAHCO import shed of the airport.
The Agency stated that on Saturday, May 21, a freight agent, one Roland Orinami, was arrested by NDLEA operatives attached to the local wing of the Lagos airport with1.90kg Loud, a variant of cannabis, packed in some bottles while trying to send same via flight to Abuja.
NDLEA explained that a follow up operation in Abuja led to the arrest of a taxi driver, Nsikak Evans, who was detailed to collect the consignment.
During interrogation conducted on him, he mentioned the source of the drugs which also led to the arrest of the actual owner, Adesanya Olakunle Isaac at his house in Life Camp area of Abuja.
It was alleged that Adesanya who claimed to be into Information Technology, ICT accepted to be the owners of the seized drug, which he said was meant for an upcoming birthday party of one of his friends.
On Tuesday, May 24, another freight agent, Moshood Azeez Olaide was arrested at NAHCO export shed of the MMIA, when he presented a cargo containing psychotropic substances heading to Dubai.
The illegal consignment was packed into other items such as Can Drinks, liquid bitters and other non-controlled drugs.
The seized drugs from him include Tramadol 225mg, Rohypnol and MDMA.
Another follow up operation led to the arrest of another suspect Olagboye Selim, who was linked to the drug and he was nabbed on Friday, May 27.
An official statement by the Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Headquarters Abuja, Femi Babafemi said on the same day, operatives of the Nigerian Customs Service at NAHCO Importation shed, transferred 15 cartons of khat leaf with a gross weight of 256.70kg, which came into the country on Royal Air Morocco to NDLEA command at the airport.
“The previous day, Monday 23rd May, another freight agent, Lasebikan Felix Gbega was arrested with 200 bottles of pentazocine injection, with a brand name “Drutapent” weighing 1.05kg.The consignment was heading to the United States of America.
“Another agent, Akuta Chioma Lucy was on Thursday 26th May arrested at the SAHCO export shed while attempting to export 14.75kg of khat concealed inside other vegetable leaves and food condiments such as bitter leaf, scent leaf, pepper, all packed in bags for shipment to the United Kingdom.
“At the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, a 45-year-old Ezika Ugochukwu Nicholas from Ichida, Anocha area of Anambra state was arrested on Thursday 26th May for ingesting 60 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.037kg on arrival from Addis Ababa on board Ethiopian airline.
“Ezika who claims he’s into shoe business before his arrest travelled to Ethiopia on 23rd May on the invitation of the person who gave him the drug, which he ingested before returning into the waiting arms of NDLEA officers at the Abuja airport.
“In the same vein, efforts by drug cartels to export 4kg methamphetamine concealed in nylon rolls to New Zealand were also frustrated by anti-narcotic officers attached to a courier company in Lagos just as they blocked different quantities of cannabis sativa and Tramadol hidden in soles of slippers from being shipped to Oman through the same firm.
“Meanwhile, no fewer than 335,820 tablets of Tramadol, Exol 5, Diazepam and Rohypnol as well as 400 bottles of codeine syrup concealed in bags of vegetables have been intercepted in Abuja in a hummer passenger bus coming from Enugu on Monday 30th May.” The statement reads.
Babafemi hinted that the bus driver, Augustine James, 35, is currently helping investigation adding that in Imo State, 1,111kg of cannabis sativa heading to the Orlu forest, which has become a fortress for non-state actors, was intercepted on Thursday 26th May.
The Chairman and Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), commended the officers and men of MMIA, NAIA, DOGI, FCT and Imo Commands of the Agency for sustaining the heat on drug cartels.