Lifestyle

NDLEA seizes 151,700 Opioids in Lagos, arrests trafficker

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has foiled an attempt of a suspected drug trafficker to send 151,700 pills of opioids to Kaduna.

The NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

Mr Babafemi disclosed that the suspect, Ibrahim Analu, 28, was arrested at Iddo motor park, Lagos, while attempting to send the consignment.

He added that operatives in Lagos have also thwarted attempts to export various quantities of illicit substances through courier companies.

Mr Babafemi said 336 grams of skunk stuffed inside computer hard drives going to Dubai, UAE, were seized at a courier firm.

He also said 4.830 kg of skunk was discovered at another courier firm in a shipment from Douala, Cameroon, passing through Nigeria to Oman.

He added that the drug was concealed in 10 of the 12 cans of palm fruit paste, locally called Banga, packed in a carton.

“A total of 45.41 kg of cannabis was recovered from Adam Hassan, 27, along the Ingawa-Mani-Mashi road, Katsina State, en route Niger Republic.

“Also, 70kg of the same substance was seized from Mamman Nur Shettima on July 15, along Kano-Nguru road, Yobe.

“In Kano, a suspect, Abdulhamid Lawan, 48, was on Friday, July 14, nabbed at Dan Agundi area, Kano, with 114 blocks of cannabis, weighing 71.7kg.

“NDLEA operatives recovered 50,000 pills of tamol, a brand of tramadol, in the Kofar Waika area of the state,” he said.

Similarly, 912,600 pills of pharmaceutical opioids, including tramadol, were recovered from two commercial vehicles.

“One coming from Lagos to Kano, the other was intercepted along Abuja-Jere-Kaduna expressway, with a suspect, Sahabi Lawal, 25, arrested.

“In Borno, 32-year-old Umar Tijjani Mustapha was arrested at Gangamari, MMC, with 55.25kg skunk on July 13,” he said.

Lifestyle, Politics

President Tinubu supports war against drug trafficking, drug abuse in Nigeria- NDLEA

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President Bola Tinubu has called for “redoubled efforts” towards combating drug abuse and trafficking in Nigeria, assuring the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) of his support.

“I hereby reiterate this administration’s unwavering support to NDLEA for the sustenance of drug control efforts in the country and their patriotic efforts to keep the country safe,” Mr Tinubu said.

He added,

“I recommend that everyone should redouble efforts to combat drug abuse and trafficking in the country. We appreciate and acknowledge our local and international partners, especially the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime.”

Mr Tinubu, represented by George Akume, the secretary to the government of the federation, made this call at the 2023 UN International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking, held in Abuja on Monday.

The president’s stance on combating drug abuse and trafficking in Nigeria comes as controversy about his involvement in a drug trafficking-related case in the U.S. in the 1990s lingers.

Mr Tinubu once forfeited $460,000 linked to a drug trafficking case to the U.S. authorities in 1993.

Last year, the Northern District Court of Illinois released documents detailing Mr Tinubu’s 1993 legal battles with United States authorities over drug-related and money laundering charges.

Opposition candidates, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party and Peter Obi, both included Mr Tinubu’s involvement in the drug trafficking racket in their respective petitions before the presidential election tribunal.

Lifestyle

NDLEA arrests three grandfathers over 52kgs cocaine, skunk

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested three sexagenarian grandfathers and a Nigerien concerning the seizure of over 52.252 kilogrammes of cocaine, methamphetamine and skunk.

NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, said the agency seized 32,590 pills of opioids in Lagos, Kwara, Plateau, Sokoto, and two courier companies.

He said a man on the NDLEA watchlist, Benjamin Chimaobi, who frequents Cameroun, Ethiopia and Uganda, was arrested on February 18 at Victory Estate, Iba, Ojo area of Lagos.

He said the suspect was arrested in connection with the seizure of a 19.70kgs cocaine abandoned on an Ethiopian airline flight that arrived at Lagos airport on Thursday, February 9.

According to him, Mr Chimaobi had travelled to Addis Ababa in Ethiopia to pick up the consignment.

“He claimed it was handed over to him in a black backpack bag on the plane in Addis Ababa but failed to disembark with it on arrival in Lagos.

“While the agency continues to investigate the flight crew members, relevant intelligence and investigative tools were deployed to identify the passenger who brought the consignment to Nigeria.”

Mr Babafemi said Mr Chimaobi was eventually unravelled and traced to Victory Estate, Iba, where he was arrested.

He added that operatives on February 23 intercepted an intending passenger on a Turkish Airline flight to Torino via Milan, Italy, at the departure hall of Lagos airport.

The suspect, Obazee Timothy Eguagie, was arrested with various quantities of opioids consisting of 22,840 tablets of Tramadol 225mg weighing 10.60 kg.

“Others include 1000 tablets of Tramadol 200mg with a gross weight of 600 grams; 2, 300 capsules of Tramadol 100mg weighing 800 grams and 60 tablets of Rohypnol 1mg, weighing 19 grams.”

Mr Babafemi said the drugs were concealed inside cloths and wrapped with black tapes.

He also said the NDLEA operatives attached to Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO) import shed of the airport on February 24 intercepted eight cartons of shoes from Los Angeles, United States.

Mr Babafemi said a diligent examination of the cargo showed the shoes were used to conceal 37 parcels of a Loud variant of Cannabis with a gross weight of 20.10 kilogrammes.

He said a 63-year-old grandfather, Balogun Akinlabi, hired as a freight agent to clear the illicit consignment, has already been arrested.

“Two other sexagenarians arrested in connection with drug trafficking include Butven Siman, 62, who was nabbed with 5.5kgs skunk on Friday, February 17, at Timbol village, Langtang South LGA, Plateau.

“Also, 65-year-old Musa Shuaib was arrested with a kilogramme of cannabis on Thursday, February 23, in the Adewole area of Ilorin, the Kwara state capital.”

Mr Babafemi said operatives of NDLEA in Lagos also recovered a total of 4.292 kilogrammes of psychoactive drugs, including Methamphetamine, Tramadol, Lexotan, and Swindon.

He said the drugs, which were at two major courier companies in Lagos, were concealed in walls of cartons, picture frames, bathing soap packs and bedsheets.

He added that they were recovered from parcels going to the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia by officers of the NDLEA attached to the logistics firms.

Mr Babafemi also said NDLEA operatives at Illela border in Sokoto State on February 21 intercepted a Nigerien, Bashar Abdu of Kwanni, Niger Republic, with 1.460kgs of skunk wrapped around his private part.

He said another suspect, Mohammed Garba (a.k.a Alfazazi), was arrested with 6,390 tablets of Tramadol 225mg, weighing 3.4kgs on February 23 along the Abuja-Kaduna expressway.

Lifestyle

NDLEA arrests three traffickers with 256kgs of illicit drugs

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Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested three traffickers with a total of 256 kilograms of illicit substances seized from them during interdiction operations in Kwara, Kogi and Niger state.

Spokesperson of the agency, Femi Babafemi, in a statement on Sunday, January 1, 2023, said a team of NDLEA officers on stop and search duty along Ilorin- Jebba highway on Monday 26th Dec arrested a suspect, Idris Saeed, 19, with 60 blocks of compressed cannabis sativa weighing 30kgs.

NDLEA operatives in Niger state on similar operation along Jebba-Mokwa road also recovered 240 blocks of the same substance weighing 168 kilograms, from multi-colour sacks loaded in a Peugeot J5 bus, with registration number MAG 146 XA, coming from Lagos and going to Kano for delivery.

In Kogi state, operatives intercepted a truck coming from Onitsha, Anambra state to Maiduguri, Borno along Okene-Abuja highway where 9,900 ampoules of pentazocine injection (42kgs) were recovered on Saturday 24th Dec.

In the same vein, a suspect, Ibrahim Jibril, 20, was arrested on the same route with 40 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 16kgs coming from Lagos to Jigawa in a Toyota Hiace commercial bus on Tuesday 27th December..

While commending the officers and men of the Kwara, Kogi and Niger state Commands for the arrests and seizures, Chairman of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa urged them along with their compatriots across the country to step up their offensive action against drug cartels in the new year with equal focus on drug demand reduction efforts.

Lifestyle

NDLEA arrests 18,940 suspects in two years

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The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency says it has arrested 18,940 suspects for different drug-related offences in the past two years.

Brig-Gen. Mohammed Buba-Marwa, the Chairman of the agency disclosed this at an award presentation in Yola on Tuesday, December 27.

The award was conferred on him by the Adamawa Honours Society in recognition of his outstanding service to the nation.

He said the agency secured 3,324 convictions, seized 5.4 kilogramme of different control drugs, and narcotic substances, and rehabilitated 3,326 drug abusers within the period under review.

The NDLEA boss urged parents, community, and religious leaders to upscale campaigns to tame the menace, saying, “drugs do not discriminate against tribe, religion or region”.

The agency, he said, recently acquired drug and lie test kits, adding that intending couples should be tested for drug use before marriage.

“Drug tests will determine the innocence or otherwise of couples and save marital relationships from collapse due to drug abuse,” he said.

According to him, the agency is working assiduously to achieve a reduction in the supply and demand for drugs, stressing that this would significantly add value to the fight against the trend.

Marwa commended President Muhammadu Buhari for supporting the agency in the fight against illicit drugs, adding,” I also commend the Adamawa House of Assembly for enacting laws against drug-related offences”.

He said the award would spur him to do more and commended the organisers for finding him worthy of the award.

Lifestyle

Nine arrested as NDLEA seizes tonnes of narcotics in 5 states

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Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have seized tonnes of narcotics in Lagos, Edo, Bauchi, Kaduna, and Oyo raids.

Spokesperson of the agency, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, December 18, 2022.

NDLEA operatives in Lagos on Sunday 11th December intercepted a truck and a bus conveying 113 jumbo bags of cannabis sativa weighing 4,802.84 kilograms around the VGC estate area of Ajah while three suspects: Taofeek Yusuf; Ifeanyi Okorie and Israel Nwachukwu were arrested in connection with the seizures. In Gombe state, a total of 1,154,500 pills of Tramadol, Rohypnol and Exol being transported from Onitsha, Anambra state to Gombe by a truck driver, Umar Hassan, 28, were seized on Thursday 15th Dec. at Bye pass area of Gombe by a team of NDLEA officers following credible intelligence.

Also acting on intelligence, operatives in Edo state on Friday 16th Dec intercepted a Honda Ridgeline pick-up vehicle with Reg No BWR 699 CV loaded with 29 bags of Cannabis Sativa weighing 319kgs.

The driver of the vehicle, Alfred Vratombo, 32, was arrested with fake police uniforms, which he was using to deceive security men on the road.

Attempt by a drug dealer, Chucks Kalu, 29, to smuggle into Kano 26kgs of cannabis concealed inside packs of blenders was thwarted by operatives who intercepted the consignment along Abuja-Kaduna express road and later arrested him in a follow up operation in Kano.

Another suspect, Rabilu Sa’ad Abubakar,42, was also arrested in a follow up operation in Kano, following the seizure of his consignment 1,980 bottles of Cough syrup with codeine, concealed inside cartons, were seized along Abuja-Kaduna express road.

In Bauchi state, operatives on Saturday 17th Dec arrested Muhammed Ahmed, 40, with 288 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 244.5Kg in Darazo area of the state.

In Oyo state, a suspect, Yusuf Ayinde, 40, was arrested with 50.4kgs Cannabis in his residence at Idi-Ose via Amuloko, Ona-Ara LGA, on Saturday 17th Dec.

While commending the officers and men of the Lagos, Gombe, Edo, Kaduna and Oyo state commands for their commitment and vigilance leading to the arrests and seizures of the past week, Chairman of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa urged them and their compatriots across other formations to continue to surpass their past records of achievements.

World News

NDLEA partners French police to tackle drug trafficking

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has announced its partnership with the French Police.

This was as the anti-narcotics agency’s Chairman, Major General Buba Marwa (retd.), commended the support from the Police Nationale of France, especially in the areas of training and equipment.

The NDLEA boss spoke in his office in Abuja on Friday when the Police Attaché at the French Embassy in Nigeria, Emmanuel Verin, led a team of French trainers including Cedric B. and Christophe J., who were in the country to train a number of the NDLEA officers in special operations, paid him a courtesy visit.

Announcing the visit in a statement on Friday, the NDLEA’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, noted that Marwa appreciated the French government for its support as one of the anti-narcotics agency’s leading partners.

According to Babafemi, Marwa said,

“We have received tremendous help from France not only in terms of training but also equipment. The support was capped with my recent visit to France where we received warm reception at all the institutions visited and the training promised was promptly organized.

We’re grateful for that and we are looking forward to more collaboration and support.

“In his response, Verin said, “We’re proud to work with the NDLEA because your officers and men are very smart and professional and that’s why you’re getting results, hence, our priority in terms of support for the NDLEA is in the area of training.

Our trainers, who have been here to train your men, are specialists and top in the field. We’ll do this for a very long time and we’re glad to work with you.”

World News

NDLEA alerts on plot to introduce lethal synthetic opioid, Fentanyl to Nigerian market

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, says it has uncovered plans by some unscrupulous elements to introduce a lethal synthetic opioid, Fentanyl, which is 100 times stronger than Tramadol, into the Nigerian market.

Spokesperson of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi, who disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, November 8, warned that the illicitly manufactured drug is capable of causing mass casualty among the youth population being targeted by the cartels.

The agency said every step must be taken to ensure that the drug which is currently responsible for over 70% overdose deaths as well as a major contributor to fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the US is not allowed to circulate in Nigeria because of its lethality and the current drug abuse prevalence of 14.4% in the country.

“We are not unaware of desperate efforts by some drug cartels to introduce to the Nigerian market, Fentanyl, which according to the CDC, is 80 times as potent as morphine and 100 times more potent than heroin.

This, they plan to do either in liquid or powder form and/or with misleading labels to target our youth population.

This they may also mix with other prescription drugs. The illegally manufactured fentanyl in its liquid form can come in nasal sprays, eye drops, or small candies,” the statement read.

“As a result, parents and other stakeholders are advised to be vigilant, alert and warn their young ones against attempting experimenting with this illicit substance.

Symptoms for fentanyl exposure and/or overdose include pinpoint pupils, falling asleep or losing consciousness, slow and shallow breathing, choking or gurgling sounds, limp body, and pale, blue, or cold skin

“The Agency wishes to assure the public that all necessary assets have been deployed to monitor the cartels involved in this latest threat to public health with a view to frustrating their criminal plot and make them face the wrath of the law.”

Lifestyle

NDLEA declares Lagos socialite wanted for alleged drug trafficking

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has declared wanted Lagos socialite and owner of Adekaz Hotels, Alhaji Ademola Afolabi Kazeem (a.k.a Alhaji Abdallah Kazeem Muhammed) over offenses bordering on exportation and trafficking of illicit drugs as well as money laundering.

The Nation reports that the Director, Media & Advocacy of NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement released on Tuesday, November 1.

He stated that the decision to declare the suspect wanted followed his failure to honor NDLEA invitations and an order granted the Agency by a Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday 17th October 2022.

‘The wanted drug kingpin was uncovered as the sponsor of some traffickers arrested by the anti-narcotics agency in their recent attempt to export cocaine to Dubai, UAE and other destinations outside Nigeria.

Soon after the arrest of one of his mules, Bolujoko Muyiwa Babalola, a Lagos BRT driver on 27th June at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja, Alhaji Ademola Kazeem who is also the Chairman of Adekaz Global Integrated Services, went underground.

‘Following his failure to honour invitations sent to him, the Agency approached a Federal High Court in Lagos with three prayers: to attach and seal his identified properties in Lagos and Ibadan; declare him wanted and block his bank account with a cash balance of Two Hundred and Seventeen Million Naira (N217,000,000.00), all of which were granted.As a result, NDLEA operatives on Wednesday 26th October 2022 sealed six of the identified properties located on Lagos Island.

They include: 105 Tokunbo street off Broad street, Lagos Island; 1 Abibu Oki street off Marina, Lagos Island; 3 Abibu Oki street off Marina, Lagos Island; 54 Palm Church street, Lagos Island; 26 Agarawu street, Lagos Island; and 41 Foresythe street, Lagos Island. The other one is located at 1 Irepodun zone, Adepoju bus stop, Ajoda Ayedun, Ibadan, Oyo state.”the statement read

In a related development, Babafemi said the Agency on Friday 28th October arrested another alleged drug baron, Udemezue Obunike William at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja upon his return from Brazil.

”His arrest with the support of the Nigeria Immigration Service followed the earlier arrest of some drug couriers linked to Udemezue as their sponsor.

They include two mules: Messrs Adolphus Anayochukwu Okeke and Anayo Michael Nnanna. The 52-year-old father of four children who claimed to be a businessman, Okeke Adolphus Anayochukwu was arrested at the Abuja airport by NDLEA operatives with 20.75 kilograms of black liquid cocaine on Tuesday 15th March upon his arrival onboard Qatar Airways flight from Sao Paulo, Brazil through Doha, Qatar to Abuja.

The liquid was discovered upon search of his luggage stuffed with six smaller bags containing 32-makeup mascara, which tested positive to cocaine.

On the other hand, a Brazilian returnee Nnanna Anayo Michael, 39, was arrested at the Port Harcourt International Airport, PHIA, during the inward screening of passengers on board Qatar Airline flight QR1433 from Sao Paulo, Brazil via Doha to Port Harcourt on Tuesday, 29th March.

Nnanna was arrested with 73 sachets weighing 8.15 kilograms of cocaine, which is the largest seizure of such at the airport, since it began international flight operations years ago.

Further investigations of the two traffickers revealed Udemezue Obunike William as the drug baron behind the cocaine cartel. As a result, he was watch-listed and arrested upon his return from Brazil on Friday 28th October.

In his reaction, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), CON, OFR, commended the officers and men of the Agency involved in the clinical investigation that led to the unmasking of the two barons.

He said gone are the days when drug kingpins can hide behind traffickers and remain faceless, warning that the new NDLEA will continue to unravel them one after the other if they fail to back out of the criminal trade.”

Lifestyle

NDLEA freezes N20bn in 103 bank accounts owned by alleged billionaire drug baron, Afam Ukatu

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has confiscated N20bn stashed in 103 bank accounts belonging to Afam Ukatu, chairman of Mallinson group of companies.

In an interview with TheCable, NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, said a Post No Debit order was made by the court on all his accounts in August 2022. Ukatu was arrested on April 13 this year while on a flight from Lagos to Abuja.

He was arrested over an alleged N3 billion tramadol deal linked to Abba Kyari, the suspended deputy commissioner of police (DCP).

The agency secured an interim seizure of 25 properties belonging to the businessman on August 29.

The agency has also filed 23-count charges against the businessman and his six companies Fruitroprics Industries Limited, Mallinson and Partners Limited, NISPO Porcelain Company Limited, MBL Multi-links Services Limited, NISPO Oil and Gas Limited and Urban Space Services Limited. The charge, marked FCT/ABJ/CR/320/2022 and dated August 4, was filed before a federal high court in Abuja.

Among several allegations in the charge sheet, the billionaire was said to have converted N123.8 million, which is considered to be the proceeds of an illegal act and is punishable under sections 15(3) and (4) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act of 2011, using Fruitropics Industries Limited’s United Bank for Africa account no. 1006588563.

He was also accused of using Mallinson and Partners Limited’s UBA account between January 1, 2018, and September 23, 2021, to convert N1.447 billion.

In count four, he was accused of using NISPO Porcelain Company Limited to convert N57,436,206, proceeds of crime.

The NDLEA said his offences are punishable under the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 (as amended).

Lifestyle

NDLEA arrests female drug dealer with 78 bags of cannabis and a man with bottles of codeine

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The operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested a female drug dealer with seventy-eight bags of cannabis sativa.

The Director, Media and Advocacy of the agency, Femi Babafemi disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, October 9, 2022.

Babafemi said that the suspect, Peace Ayuba, was arrested on Friday, October 7 at Kakau Gonin Gora area of Kaduna State with the drugs weighing 849.5kgs.

Meanwhile, operatives in Sokoto state arrested Onyeka Owo, 28, with 443 bottles of codeine based syrup.

Lifestyle

NDLEA releases photo of billionaire drug baron who used his Lagos mansion to store 13 million tramadol pills

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The Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency has released a photo of the billionaire drug baron who used his Lagos mansion to store 13 million tramadol pills.

In a statement shared by the agency’s spokesperson Femi Babafemi, it was disclosed that the drug had a street value of N8.8billion.

The drug baron identified as Ugochukwu Nsofor Chukwukadibia, is the Chairman of Autonation Motors Ltd and he was arrested barely two months after NDLEA uncovered a methamphetamine clandestine laboratory in the residence of another drug kingpin in the estate, Chris Emeka Nzewi.

The statement read;

No less than Thirteen Million, Four Hundred and Fifty One Thousand, Four Hundred and Sixty Six (13,451,466) pills of Tramadol 225mg worth Eight Billion Eight Hundred and Sixty Million Naira (N8,860,000,000) in street value have been recovered by operatives of the National Drug Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, from one of the mansions of a billionaire drug baron, Ugochukwu Nsofor Chukwukadibia, in the highbrow residential estate, Victoria Garden City, Lekki area of Lagos.

The arrest of Ugochukwu who is the Chairman of Autonation Motors Ltd is coming barely two months after NDLEA uncovered a methamphetamine clandestine laboratory in the residence of another drug kingpin in the estate, Chris Emeka Nzewi, who was arrested on Saturday 30th July along with a chemist, Sunday Ukah, who cooked the illicit drug for him.

At least, 258.74 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine and various precursor chemicals used for the production of the toxic drug were recovered from Nzewis home during his arrest.

Following credible intelligence, NDLEA operatives on Friday 30th September stormed the Plot A45 Road 2 home of the 52-year-old billionaire drug kingpin.

A search of the expansive mansion led to the discovery of 443 cartons of Tramadol Hydrochloride 225mg, which contains 13, 451, 466 pills of the drug while some cartons were already burnt in a fire incident in the house same day.

Before his arrest, Ugochukwu who hails from Ihiala local government area of Anambra state has been on the Agencys watch list as one of those behind the tramadol drug cartel in Nigeria.

Preliminary investigation shows that he has about six mansions within the VGC, one of which he uses to warehouse the tramadol consignment, while he lives in the one at Plot Z-130 Road 67 and another as his office.

Five exotic vehicles have also been located in two of his mansions, out of which two SUVs including a bullet jeep have been successfully removed to the Agencys facility.Reacting to the latest drug haul, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) commended the officers and men involved in the operation for their diligence while also appreciating Nigerians for supporting the Agency in its arduous task of ridding the country of the menace of drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

Lifestyle

FEC approves N580m for purchase of armoured vehicles for NDLEA

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The Federal Executive Council, on Wednesday, September 28, approved N580.50m for the purchase of four armoured vehicles for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, disclosed this to State House correspondents shortly after the weekly Council meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to Abubakar Malami, the decision to procure the armoured vehicles was taken to encourage and safeguard the lives of NDLEA operatives. Speaking with journalists at the end of the FEC meeting, Malami said operatives of the agency have been working hard with lots of results to show for their efforts.

“Today, a memo was presented by the office of the attorney general of the federation, that is, the Federal Ministry of Justice, which was relating to a parastatal under the supervision of the office of the attorney general; the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA),” he said.

“The purpose of the memo was to seek approval of the council for the award of contract for the supply of four customised armoured security vehicles of 14-seater model for the NDLEA and the contract sum is N580,500,000 only inclusive of 7.5 per cent value added tax with a delivery period of 16 weeks.” He continued:

“It is common knowledge that recently, the NDLEA has been repositioned and arising from the support both in terms of our capacity building, hardware and associated things, they have been recording an extra-ordinary or unprecedented success.

Recently they seized about 1.8 tons of cocaine having a market value of about N194 billion.

“So, with all these successes recorded, it is only logical that the criminals and their syndicate are now devising means inclusive of attacks on NDLEA personnel and it is with that in mind that the memo was presented for the procurement of such vehicles for the NDLEA and the council approved.”

Lifestyle

NDLEA arrests 218 suspects, seizes 1,471kg drugs in Imo

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Ahead of the 2022 World International Anti-Drug Day, the Imo State Command of the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency says it has arrested 218 drug suspects comprising 171 males and 47 females, adding that 1,471.314kg of drugs were seized between July 2021 and June 2022.

Speaking on Thursday during the instance of the year 2022 International Day Against Drug Abuse and illicit drugs trafficking, tagged, “Addressing the Drug Challenges in Health and Humanitarian Crises,” the Imo State NDLEA Commandant, Mr. Reuben Apeh, stated that many of the arrested suspects were arraigned and convicted for drug-related offences at the Federal High Court.

He said, “Within the period covered, 51 were convicted and 145 were charged and their cases are still ongoing”.

Apeh stated that the drug situation in Imo was worrisome as he said that women had joined the drug trade to make ends to their financial crises.

He further said that 1,458.49kg of cannabis sativa, 10,513kg of cocaine, 0.2077kg of heroin, 3.896kg of methamphetamine, and 3.184kg of tramadol were exhibited seized during the period under review.

Apeh, however, said that cannabis farm in hectares was also destroyed in Imo just as he added that 0.5278kg of Rohypnol and 2.5135kg of diazepam were also among the seized exhibits.

He regretted that activity of the drug peddlers had been alarming in the state among the younger segment of the state population.

He called on the stakeholders to partner with the NDLEA to sensitize society on the dangers of drug abuse.

Lifestyle

NDLEA arrests wanted drug queen in Delta

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a wanted drug queen, Margaret Emeka aka “Mama,” in Delta State.

The NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, who disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, said the 59-year-old was arrested on May 15 at her palatial mansion in Warri where she cooked and distributed crack cocaine, methamphetamine, and other illicit substances.

He said nine of the woman’s staff and associates were arrested along with her in coordinated simultaneous operations at the residence and drug bunks.

Babafemi said: “This is where the suspect accommodates drug users and sells illicit substances and others in parts of Warri, Delta State.

Apart from various quantities of Crack Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Molly, and Loud seized from her home and drug bunks; a pump action gun was recovered by the operatives.

At least 15 cartridges, documents, two cars, mobile phones, drug paraphernalia such as sodium bicarbonate and polythene wrappings were also recovered for further investigation.

“Five employees that cook, cut, package and distribute the drugs were found in her house located at Favour Street, Otukutu, Effurun, Warri.

“Four of her associates were equally arrested at her drug bunks in other parts of the town during the raids by officers of NDLEA Strike Force and supported by the military.”

He said the drug queen has been under surveillance for several weeks after she was identified as a major distributor of illicit drugs in the state.

Lifestyle

NDLEA arrests billionaire ‘drug baron’ implicated in Kyari’s N3bn tramadol deal

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Monday reported the arrest of a Nigerian “billionaire drug baron”.

The suspect is Mallinson Group Chairman Chief Afam Mallinson Emmanuel Ukatu.

Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA Media Director, made this disclosure in a statement noting that Ukatu was involved in a N3 billion Tramadol deal involving the suspended Abba Kyari.

The IGP’s Intelligence Response Team was led by Kyari, a suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (IRT).

After months of surveillance and escaping arrest, Ukatu was apprehended at the MM2 terminal of the Lagos airport in Ikeja.

NDLEA claimed Ukatu is a significant importer of big consignments of Tramadol Hydrochloride in various brands and high dosages, including 120mg, 200mg, 225mg, and 250mg.

Ukatu owns pharmaceutical and plastic manufacturing companies, which he allegedly used as a cover to import illicit drugs into Nigeria.

“This is in addition to operating 103 bank accounts, most of which are used to launder money”, Babafemi said.

Na femi explained that Ukatu was placed under surveillance in 2021, a year after his crew was seized with five cartons of Tramadol 225mg on May 4, 2021.

He’d sent them to Lagos to sell to undercover cops (unknown to Ukatu) from the then-Kyari-led IRT.

The price of a carton of Tramadol was negotiated at N17 million each, compared to the black market value of N18 million to N20million for each carton at the time.

Following the arrest of Ukatu’s employees, Pius Enidom and Sunday Ibekwete, Kyari’s men were led to Mallinson’s warehouse in Ojota, Lagos, where the IRT confiscated 197 more cartons of Tramadol 225mg.

Lifestyle

NDLEA intercepts 101 parcels of cocaine at Lagos airport

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 101 parcels of cocaine weighing 13.2kg at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

The NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

He said the illicit drug concealed in eight children’s duvets was brought into the country from Brazil by a 52-year-old Akudirinwa Uchenna.

Babafemi added that the suspect was arrested on April 9 at the D-Arrival Hall of the Lagos airport upon his return from Sao Paulo, Brazil, via Doha aboard Qatar Airline flight.

He said: “During preliminary interview, Uchenna who claimed to be a carpenter confessed that he was to be paid N5 million for successfully delivering the consignment in Lagos.

“Also big pellets of skunk concealed in detergent containers were intercepted at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

“A 37-year-old suspect, Ezekwesili Afamefune, brought in the consignment weighing 730grams from South Africa aboard Ethiopian Airline flight.”

Lifestyle

NDLEA grills socialite Obi Cubana

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Nigerian socialite and chairman of the Cubana group of companies, Obinna Iyiegbu better known as Obi Cubana was drilled on Thursday, January 13 by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for alleged involvement in narcotics business.

According to Punch Newspaper, the Anambra State-born socialite was quizzed for five hours at the Abuja headquarters of NDLEA before he was granted bail and ordered to return at a future date.

It was further gathered that operatives of the NDLEA and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have now widened the probe into Cubana and his business network, based on the premise that he may be involved in the drug business.

The source informed the publication;

“Obi Cubana arrived at the NDLEA office around 9am and responded to questions for some hours before he was granted bail at 2pm. There are suspicions that he may be a drug kingpin. Some convicted drug dealers paid funds into his account.

“We have been able to establish three of such payments. One of the persons that paid money into his account was convicted in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; another one that was convicted in New Delhi, India; also paid money into his account while a third person that was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos and convicted in 2017, also paid money into Cubana’s account.”

Cubana is reportedly expected to present some documents to NDLEA at their next meeting. When Obi Cubana’s aide, Chioma Nwachukwu was contacted by the newspaper, she said;

“There is no comment on the matter now.”

It would be recalled that the nightlife aficionado was invited for questioning by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged money laundering and tax evasion in the latter part of 2021. Cubana was released from EFCC custody several days after he was arrested.

The nightclub owner made headlines in July 2021 when he organized a lavish funeral for his mother, Ezinne Iyiegbu, in Oba, Idemili South local government area of Anambra State.

Entertainment

Why comedian, DeGeneral, was arrested – NDLEA

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has confirmed the arrest of popular skitmaker and Instagram content creator, Sunday Joshua Martins aka DeGeneral.

DeGeneral was arrested by NDLEA operatives in the early hours of Wednesday.

The agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, who confirmed the development in a statement, said the comedian was arrested during the raid of a notorious drug joint at Orchid Estate in the Lekki area of Lagos State.

The statement read: “Acting on credible intelligence, narcotic officers stormed the drug joint in the estate, where three suspects were arrested with illicit drugs including 200 sachets of 225mg Tramadol and 1.5kilograms of cannabis sativa. In the course of the operation, some persons including the suspected dealer ran away with bags suspected to contain exhibits.

“A trial showed they ran into De General’s house. The young men started to make noise to prevent a search. The operatives introduced themselves as officers of NDLEA and submitted themselves for search before entry. This was done and a search was conducted.

“The search led to the recovery of drug exhibits including cannabis sativa; Tramadol 225mg, and some paraphernalia for drug use. This was after the suspect had requested to record on video the search, which the officers out of a sense of civility allowed.

“The video trending on social media was the moment the suspect and his friends decided to disrupt the bid to conduct a search of the house. In his confessional statement in custody, the suspect admitted ownership of the drugs recovered from his house.”

Entertainment

Comedian Nasty Blaq accuses NDLEA of assault

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Popular social media comedian and content creator, Abisi Emmanuel Ezechukwu aka Nasty Blaq, claimed on Wednesday he was assaulted by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Nasty Blaq disclosed this on Twitter several hours after his colleague, Joshua Sunday aka DeGeneral, was arrested by NDLEA operatives for alleged possession of drugs and other harmful substances.

The comedian said he was on his way to location for a skit production when he was accosted by NDLEA officers.

He said one of the uniformed men threatened to shoot him despite complying with their directive.

Blaq accompanied his thread with a photo of his injured upper lip to support the claim that he was assaulted by the NDLEA operatives.

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