NDLEA arrests man with N1bn worth of cocaine, 70kg cannabis

A trans-border drug traffick­er, 36-year-old Nkem Timothy, a.k.a Auwalu Audu, has been arrested in Sokoto by oper­atives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), while trying to cross to Algeria through the Niger Republic with 62 wraps of substance suspected to be cocaine weighing 1.550kg with an estimated street value of about N1 billion.

The acting state Com­mander of NDLEA in Sokoto, Bamidele Segun, said the suspect was intercepted on a motorcycle around the baggage area at Illela border while trying to cross to Niger Republic while his final destination was to be Algeria where he resides. The illicit drug was neatly concealed inside youghurt bottles.

“He was found with an ECOWAS passport with different name written as Auwalu Audu but he gave his real name as Nkem Timothy,” the Commander stated, adding that his men had commenced further investigation to un­ravel his sponsor and other members of the trans-border drug cartel.

“This is a ground breaking feat for us in the Command as seizure of this magnitude of type A drug (cocaine) has never been made in Sokoto Command before,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Adamawa State Command of the Agency, has also arrested one Umar Mohammed with 82 blocks of compressed cannabis sa­tiva weighing 70kg at Lafiya Lamurde area of Adamawa State.

Chairman and Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brig. General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), in his reaction to the seizure has commended the two commands and charged them to remain vigilant and ensure no illicit drug goes in or out of their areas of responsibility. (Daily Independent)