NDLEA ARRESTS NOTORIOUS DRUG KINGPIN, INTERCEPTS MULTI-STATE CONSIGNMENTS IN MAJOR CRACKDOWN
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its nationwide war on drug trafficking, arresting a long-wanted cartel leader, intercepting narcotics-laden vehicles, and conducting coordinated raids across multiple states.
In Lagos, operatives arrested 60-year-old Okpara Paul Chigozie, a major drug kingpin who had been evading arrest since 2019. Chigozie was apprehended at his hideout on Michael Ojo Street, Isheri, Ojo, following the interception of a white Toyota Sienna van carrying cocaine and methamphetamine along the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway on Sunday, July 13.
NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said the vehicle’s driver, Achebe Kenneth Nnamdi, 51, was also arrested, and 7.6kg of cocaine and 900g of methamphetamine were recovered from hidden compartments in the vehicle. A subsequent search at Chigozie’s residence led to the seizure of an additional 1.8kg of cocaine and 1.3kg of methamphetamine.
In another major operation at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, NDLEA operatives, in collaboration with Aviation Security, arrested Omoregie Uyiosa with 7,790 pills of tramadol and rohypnol concealed in his luggage. The suspect was reportedly heading to Italy via Turkish Airlines.
At the airport’s export shed, officers intercepted 1.70kg of cannabis (skunk) hidden in Golden Morn cereal packs bound for Pakistan. The sender, Chioba Robert Uchenna, was taken into custody.
Also in Lagos, NDLEA raided Sarah Sam Hotels on Ogudu Road, Kosofe, a suspected distribution hub for “party drugs.” A suspect, Obayemi Oyetade, was linked to the facility. The raid uncovered 1.3kg of chocolate cannabis, 900g of cannabis-infused gummies, and 22.9g of skunk.
Elsewhere, operatives made several seizures across the country:
In Kaduna, three suspects were arrested with over 742kg of cannabis and synthetic strains during a raid at Narayi High Cost, Chikun LGA.
In Kano, Lawan Rabiu was caught with 36,000 tramadol pills.
In Gombe, 25,000 pills of tramadol and exol-5 were recovered from a suspect, while two others were nabbed with 29kg of compressed skunk.
In Borno, a patrol along Baga road led to the arrest of Audu Modu, 44, and the seizure of 74,360 pills of opioids from a Mercedes Benz.
In Bayelsa, a 63-year-old grandmother, Akuna Nelson, was arrested in Yenagoa with 163 litres of skuchies.
In Kogi, four men were arrested with 2kg of methamphetamine along the Okene-Lokoja highway.
In Abia, a notorious dealer, Nduka Obi, was apprehended at his Aba base with cocaine, heroin, tramadol, meth, and N736,000 cash.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended the agency’s personnel for their diligence and urged Nigerians to support the ongoing effort to rid communities of drug-related crimes.
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