The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested three wanted members of a criminal network specialising in drug trafficking across several countries.
This was made known in a statement signed by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, and shared on the agency’s website on Sunday.
The statement also revealed that recent seizures of the largest heroin consignment at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos led to the recovery of 51.90Kg of heroin.
The statement read, “Over two months after they were declared wanted, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested three members of an organised criminal organisation which specialises in illicit drug trafficking across Nigeria, South Africa, Mozambique, Europe and America following the recent seizure of the single largest consignment of heroin at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja Lagos.
“A total of 51.90Kg of heroin had been recovered from members of the drug cartel in an operation that began on February 10, 2024 at the SAHCO Import Shed of the airport’s Cargo Terminal.
“The consignment was concealed in 15 cartons of 2300-watt metal cutting machines, with no less than 45 blocks of the illicit substance weighing 49.70kg recovered from the equipment, while additional 2.2kg was seized at the syndicate’s warehouse in Ayobo area of Lagos.
“While the agency has secured interim forfeiture court order on hotel, mansions, vehicles and funds traced to members of the syndicate after arresting four of them, a manhunt was also been launched for others who went underground. The effort, however, paid off on Friday, April 19, when two of the wanted kingpins: Onyinyechi Irene Igbokwuputa and Frankline Uzochukwu were arrested in Lagos and Awka, Anambra State respectively.
“Another wanted member of the syndicate, Osita Obinna was equally nabbed in Lagos.”
Similarly, NDLEA officers foiled an attempt by a suspect, Iheakara Festus, to export a drug shipment through Terminal 2 of the Lagos airport to Muscat, Oman via an Ethiopian Airlines flight on April 18.
Upon searching his luggage, officers reportedly discovered 20 large parcels of cannabis weighing 9.80kg hidden inside.
In his confession, Festus, who resides in Muscat and returned to Nigeria on April 1, admitted to being hired as a courier for the drug, with an agreement to receive N1.2m upon successful delivery in Oman.
In Adamawa State, NDLEA operatives, on April 20, intercepted a Peugeot car driven by Dahiru Mohammed at Girei, carrying 1,250,000 pills of opioids weighing 450kg en route to Mubi.
Prior to this, they had intercepted a J5 bus loaded with motor spare parts from Onitsha, Anambra State, along the Ngurore-Yola Road.
Codeine Syrup and Tramadol were found concealed among the motor parts.
Subsequently, they arrested the recipient, Jairus Nwanchor, at Jambutu Motor Park after a follow-up operation.
On April 20, three suspects – Beriakuma Chinrdu (40), Okpor Isaac (68), and Daniel Onyeachom (42) – were arrested in Amarata, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
They were found in possession of 69 compressed blocks of cannabis weighing 36kg, concealed in a false compartment of a Toyota Picnic car marked MUS 711 DH.
Meanwhile, in Imo State on April 18, NDLEA operatives arrested Kingsley Omeje (41) in Amajeke, Owerri, as he was receiving a delivery of 49 bottles of codeine syrup he had ordered.
In Ondo State, NDLEA operatives raided the Oloro camp in Ogbese, Akure North LGA, where they arrested Linus Odogwu (50).
They also destroyed 25,000kg of cannabis on a 10-hectare farmland and recovered 89.5kg of the same substance.
Additionally, three other suspects – David Obungete Ekepenyoung (22), Oluwaseun Folorunso (23), and Rabiu Musa (32) – were apprehended in other parts of the state in connection to different seizures totaling 77kg.
