Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have apprehended a Lekki-based businessman, Arokodare Damil Ebenezer, the proprietor of Damillionz Takeout, in connection with the shipment of 60 parcels of Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, from the United States to Nigeria.
The 43-year-old was arrested at Bay Lounge on Admiralty Way, Lekki, Lagos, on Monday, while expecting the delivery of his latest drug consignment.
A statement on Sunday by the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said his arrest followed the seizure of his cargo—seven large cartons—by the NDLEA operatives at a logistics company in Lagos on March 12.
“His arrest followed the seizure of his cargo that arrived in Nigeria in seven big cartons at a logistics company in Lagos on March 12 by the NDLEA operatives of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation.
“After his arrest, he was taken to his Lekki home for a search, during which 94 grams of the same psychoactive substance, cannabis crusher and other drug paraphernalia were recovered. This brings the total weight of the drug seized from him to 32.24 kilograms.
In his statement, he claimed he started the illicit drug business in 2017,” he said.
Babafemi said that in another operation, the NDLEA officers thwarted an attempt by another businessman, Omoruyi Terry, to export 1,400 pills of Tramadol 225mg, weighing 800 grams, to Italy.
He said Omoruyi was intercepted at the screening point of Terminal 2 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, while boarding a Qatar Airways flight.
“Investigations revealed that he is a frequent traveller and logistics agent based in Italy,” he added.
Between March 24 and 28, he said the NDLEA operatives destroyed 13,198 kilograms of cannabis sativa found in Edo forests. They also evacuated 158 kilograms for potential prosecution.
He added that the illicit plantations were discovered and dismantled in Uhen Forest, Ovia North East LGA; Sobe, Owan West LGA; and Amahor Forest, Igueben LGA.
Babafemi said, “Not less than 13,198 kilograms of cannabis sativa were destroyed in Edo forests across parts of the state between Monday, March 24 and Friday, March 28, by the NDLEA operatives who also evacuated 158kg of the same substance for possible prosecution. The forests where no fewer than four cannabis plantations were discovered and destroyed include: Uhen forest, Ovia North East LGA; Sobe, Owan West LGA; and Amahor forest in Igueben LGA.”
In Katsina, he said the NDLEA operatives arrested four suspects—Baraka Abubakar, 40; Haruna Alitine, 23; Muhammad Babangida, 20; and Hamisu Lawal—during an intelligence-led raid at Godai village, Daura Local Government Area, on Friday, March 28.
According to him, the raid led to the recovery of 684 blocks of compressed skunk, weighing 423 kilograms, and 86,000 pills of diazepam. The three male suspects were caught repackaging the diazepam, while Baraka was found in possession of large quantities of skunk at her residence.
In Niger State, he said a patrol team intercepted a black Toyota Corolla along the Mokwa-Jebba road on Friday, March 28, arresting two occupants, Paul Christopher, 46, and Lucky Star Anumie.
“They were found with 179 blocks of compressed skunk, weighing 77.6 kilograms, concealed in a false bottom within the vehicle. In a separate operation on March 29, 50 kilograms of skunk were recovered from the home of a suspect, Isa Iliya, in Wawa village, Borgu LGA. Iliya remains at large,” the statement added.
