ASHENEWS reports that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) says its operatives have busted an international drug trafficking syndicate, leading to the arrest of five members after a two-weeks intelligence led operations in Lagos, Abia and Anambra states.
The NDLEA made this known in a statement issued on Sunday by its spokesperson, Femi Babafemi.
The statement noted that operatives of the NDLEA commenced trailing the suspects after the seizure of their illicit drug consignments at the NAHCO import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos.
“The unravelling of the drug cartel started on Sunday 20th April when their cargo of four big suitcases arrived the NAHCO shed on an Airpeace airline flight from Johannesburg, South Africa. After days of close monitoring and investigation, the first suspect, Umeh Chisom Peter was arrested on Wednesday 24th April after he showed up to pick two of the suitcases containing Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis owned by a Thailand based member of the syndicate, Obum Michael. The consignment of four parcels was concealed in false bottoms of the two suitcases, while the four suitcases contain a total of 17.6 kilograms Loud and drug candies.
“Another member of the syndicate, Mrs. Chiwendu Uche Ugbe whose South Africa based husband, Aloytus Uche Ugbe sent some of the consignments, was traced to Anambra state where NDLEA officers arrested her on Saturday 27th April while attempting to collect the drug parcels sent to her by her husband.
“Two other suspects: Onyejakor Francis Chimezie and Naaji Valentine Chukwukere, with links to the cartel were also arrested in parts of Lagos on Monday 29th April. Their arrest led to another operation in Abia state where Mrs. Chinazo Osigwe was arrested when she was to pick up some of the parcels containing Loud and drug candies sent by her husband, Osigwe Chidiebere Anthony who is equally operating from South Africa,” the NDLEA said.
The NDLEA, in the statement also announced the arrest of four suspects in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja with 511 sacks of cannabis sativa.
According to the NDLEA, the suspects were arrested by the agency’s operatives on stop and search operation along Abuja-Abaji highway on Wednesday 1st May.
The statement noted that the suspects were conveying the drugs in a 40-ft gas tanker marked RBC 77XG and after a thorough search, 511 jumbo sacks of cannabis sativa weighing 4,752kg was discovered concealed in the gas tank compartment of the truck.
“The consignment was loaded into the tanker in Ondo state and meant to be delivered in Abuja for further distribution. Four suspects: Efe Abel Mikel, 39; Ebigide Cyril, 29; Ejechi Monday, 41; and Friday Benson Chukwudi, 39, have been arrested in connection with the seizure,” the NDLEA said.
