NDLEA busts int’l drug ring, seizes loud shipments, apprehends suspects
By Innocent Raphael
In a coordinated operation spanning multiple states, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a far-reaching drug syndicate with connections in Nigeria, South Africa, and Thailand.
NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi made this known in a statement issued on Sunday.
The crackdown resulted in the apprehension of numerous suspects and the seizure of significant drug shipments.
The unraveling of the drug cartel commenced on Sunday, April 20th, with the arrival of four large suitcases at the NAHCO shed via an Airpeace airline flight from Johannesburg, South Africa.
Following extensive monitoring and investigation, the first suspect, Umeh Chisom Peter, was apprehended on Wednesday, April 24th, upon attempting to claim two of the suitcases. These suitcases concealed a synthetic strain of cannabis known as Loud, owned by syndicate member Obum Michael. The four suitcases collectively held 17.6 kilograms of Loud and drug candies.
Another syndicate member, Mrs. Chiwendu Uche Ugbe, whose husband Aloytus Uche Ugbe operated from South Africa, was traced to Anambra state.
NDLEA officers arrested her on Saturday, April 27th, as she tried to collect drug parcels dispatched by her spouse.
In subsequent operations, two additional suspects, Onyejakor Francis Chimezie and Naaji Valentine Chukwukere, were arrested in parts of Lagos on Monday, April 29th. This led to another operation in Abia state, resulting in the arrest of Mrs. Chinazo Osigwe, who was attempting to retrieve drug parcels sent by her husband, Osigwe Chidiebere Anthony, also operating from South Africa.
According to the statement also, five members of the syndicate were arrested in Lagos, Abia, Anambra, Kaduna, Kano, Osun, Ondo, Benue, Bauchi, and Bayelsa states.
In Osun, an ex-convict was found with a variety of drugs, while in Lagos, a Toyota Camry was intercepted carrying 113 parcels of cannabis.
Similarly, in Bauchi, Benue, and Bayelsa states, several individuals were arrested with significant quantities of drugs, including codeine, opioids, and cannabis.
Among the seized substances were Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, codeine syrup, cannabis sativa, and various opioids.
In a related development, the NDLEA intercepted a gas tanker loaded with over 4,700 kilograms of cannabis sativa along the Abuja-Abaji highway.
The agency also conducted a series of War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaigns nationwide, aiming to educate communities, schools, and religious groups on the dangers of illicit drug trafficking.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), commended the officers for their diligence and urged continued efforts in combating drug abuse.
