Olusola Bello
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted consignments of cocaine and heroin weighing 16.85kgs and worth over N4.9bn in street value.
The spokesman of the agency, Femi Babafemi, said on Sunday in Abuja that the illicit drugs were seized at the Apapa seaport and Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), both in Lagos State by NDLEA operatives.
“Four persons are currently being investigated for the 13.65kg cocaine seized onboard a ship, MV Karteria that came into the Apapa port from Santos, Brazil on Sunday 7 November, barely three weeks after 32.9kg of cocaine was intercepted at the port on another vessel, MV Chayanee Naree, also from Santos, Brazil.
“In well-coordinated follow up operations, no fewer than five persons have been arrested in different parts of Lagos and Delta state in connection to the seizure of 3.200kg heroin found on a passenger, Christian Osondu at the E-Arrival-hall of the MMIA, on Friday 5 November, during the inward clearance of Air Peace flight passengers from South Africa.
“A swift follow up operation same day led to the arrest of one Ude Onyeka Victor, at Mafoluku area of Oshodi, Lagos.
“Ude Onyeka confessed that his elder brother, Ikenna Ude, who is based in South Africa, had instructed him to collect the bag containing the drug and hand over to another person who was supposed to come from Delta State,” Babafemi said.
A second follow up operation led to the arrest of Abanjo Innocent who came to Lagos from Delta State to pick the bag containing the drug around Cele Bus stop, Okota, on Saturday 6 November.
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Innocent also confessed that he was contracted by one Oseki Chinedu, who is based in South Africa to travel to Lagos to collect the bag and bring it to Agbor junction, Delta State.
The third follow up operation led to the arrest of Ihator Theophilus Isioma at Agbor Junction, Delta State on Sunday 7 November.
In Bayelsa State, NDLEA operatives on Saturday 13 November arrested one Obeluo Emeka from Anambra West Local Government Area of Anambra State with 600 grams of Heroin.
The suspect who is a motor spare parts dealer based in Douala, Cameroon, had arrived at Yenagoa by waterway to waybill the substance to an undisclosed address in Lagos.
Meanwhile, not less than four suspects were arrested and different quantities of cocaine, cannabis, tramadol and Methamphetamine were seized from them during weekend raids at Rumuokoro, Elelenwo and Omagwa/Elele communities in Rivers State.
Those arrested includes are Elizabeth Iniama, Sir King Emmanuel, Godgift King and Amadi Bright
A total of 18.51kg of assorted illicit drugs were recovered on Saturday 13 November when operatives raided a neighbourhood of Bayan Gari, and Sir Ahmadu Bello Way, Bauchi town, Bauchi State where two suspects; Mr Gabriel Iwagbunan and Ms Cecilia Ezena were arrested.
