NDLEA arrests military officer for allegedly planting drugs in brother’s house

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested a military officer, Anayo Nwamban, for allegedly plotting to implicate his brother.

A spokesperson for the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, in a statement on Sunday, said Nwamban, after planting a drug in his brother’s house, reported him to the agency.

However, the truth came to light after the drug supplier was arrested.

Babafemi said, “In Ebonyi State, a military officer, Anayo Nwamban, who bought 1.1 kilogrammes of cannabis from Mami market, planted same in his elder brother’s house and then made a report to the NDLEA office with a view to implicating his brother, was arrested on Friday, September 3. After the arrest of his supplier, he admitted to purchasing and planting same in his brother’s house.”

The official said the agency also arrested a 22-year-old member of the National Youth Service Corps, Arnold Maniru, for allegedly importing four kilogrammes of drugged candies from the United Kingdom.

“The youth corps member serving with a government agency in Abuja was arrested on Saturday, August 28, 2021, following the interception of a consignment at the warehouse of a transport company.

“A controlled delivery of the parcel, which contains the candies laced with Arizona, a strong variant of cannabis and some liquid, was subsequently carried out,” he added.

In a related development, operatives attached to courier companies in Lagos reportedly intercepted 1.2kg of cannabis concealed inside locally-made cookies going to Dubai, UAE and 920grams of cocaine hidden inside synthetic hair heading for Saudi Arabia.

Another 1.08kg cannabis concealed in spray cans going to Pakistan and 625g of methamphetamine hidden in clothing heading to Australia were also reportedly seized.

The statement said, “Across the states, operatives also intensified arrests of traffickers and seizures of illicit drugs. A total of 384.7kg of assorted narcotics being transported to the nation’s capital, Abuja, for sale were intercepted and seized at patrol points in Lokoja, Kogi State, on Monday, August 20, and Thursday, September 2, 2021.

“A truck, with number plate, Plateau AA 462 QAP, driven by 50-year-old Danlami Dodo, coming from Onitsha, Anambra, with Abuja, FCT as destination, was intercepted at a patrol point in Lokoja.

“Upon a search, the following psychoactive substances were discovered packed in sacks and cartons: 1,975 bottles of cough syrup with codeine, weighing 282kg; 199 packets of Exol-5 tablets weighing 75.4kg; 250 packets of Diazepam tablets weighing 15.4kg; Cannabis Sativa weighing 5.9kg; and one packet of Ketamine injection, all weighing 378.7kg.”

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Marwa (retd.), commended the commanders, officers and men of the agency for maintaining the heat on drug traffickers and dealers in the country. (Courtesy, The PUNCH)