The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has arrested a businesswoman attempting to smuggle cocaine to China, intercepted illicit drugs worth N12.3 billion at the Lagos seaport, dismantled a drug syndicate that allegedly plants narcotics in passengers’ luggage and arrested three suspected transnational traffickers with over 500,000 tramadol pills.
The agency said the operations were conducted in Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory as part of its sustained campaign against narcotics trafficking networks.
Passenger heading to China arrested
NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, detained 38-year-old Iwebema Ogechi Peace, as she was about to board a Qatar Airways flight to Beijing, China.
There was legitimate intelligence and the subject was put under surveillance, he said.
Authorities said a search of her checked luggage uncovered four huge packages of cocaine stashed behind a skilfully built fake bottom of the suitcase.
Babafemi claimed the suspect was cooperating with investigators by giving information on the drug trafficking network behind the attempted shipment.
N12.3bn cannabis seized
In another big operation, NDLEA officers collaborating with other security agencies, intercepted 195 large bags of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis at the Lagos ports.
The agency described it as one of the greatest cannabis seizures in recent months, putting the street worth of the haul at about N12.3 billion.
Syndicate planting narcotics in passengers’ bags busted
The anti-narcotics agency also said it dismantled a criminal organization that allegedly planted illicit substances in the bags of unsuspecting passengers on board commercial buses.
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The operation began when NDLEA officers intercepted a suspicious waybill package on a bus heading from Nnewi, Anambra State to Abuja, Babafemi stated.
It was said that the box contained methamphetamine stashed in a black nylon bag among clothes during a search at Abaji in the FCT.
The investigators were able to quickly trace the box to its intended receiver who was identified as Gloria Peter, and she was apprehended at Utako Motor Park, Abuja.
However, the agency said she denied any ownership or knowledge of the narcotics.
The investigation also led to the arrest of one of the bus loaders in Nnewi who admitted to have placed the drug package inside the woman’s suitcase on the order of the driver of the vehicle identified as Abdurrazak Isah.
The driver was then detained and apparently implicated one of his passengers, Onyebuchi Victor Okoye, as the owner of the criminal package.
Later, Okoye was arrested in a follow up operation in Abuja.
Further arrests in Lagos, on international border
In another operation, NDLEA operatives detained 57-year-old Ikechukwu Uwakwe at Iddo Motor Park, Lagos, where he was reportedly found in possession of 209.5 kg of Scottish Loud, another potent cannabis strain.
The agency also apprehended a truck hauling a significant shipment of tramadol tablets on Mile 2 Bridge in Lagos which was smuggled from Togo through the Benin Republic.
Three individuals were arrested in connection with the seizure. Two of them are Beninese citizens, Hossou Tito Julien and Mancellim Dossou, and a Nigerian, Jackson ThankGod.
The NDLEA said, “The detailed search of the truck led to the discovery of over 500,000 tramadol pills concealed in a special compartment fabricated for that purpose.
The agency said investigations into the various cases are ongoing and reiterated its determination to dismantle local and trans-national drug trafficking networks operating within and across Nigeria’s borders.
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