NDLEA nabs drug traffickers, seizes 80 wraps of cocaine ingested
By Innocent Raphael
In a series of successful operations, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recently apprehended drug traffickers and seized significant quantities of illicit substances across various locations in the country.
NDLEA Director Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi disclosed this in a statement made public on Sunday.
Among the notable arrests was Freeman Charles Ogbonna, who was intercepted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos while attempting to board a flight to Delhi, India, with 80 wraps of cocaine ingested in his body.
Ogbonna, who was arrested on the 31 of March, initially presented a Liberian passport under the name Carr Bismark, was identified through preliminary checks and subsequently detained.
During his custody, he expelled a total of 80 wraps of cocaine, weighing 889 grams, demonstrating the extreme risks associated with drug trafficking.
In a confessional statement, Ogbonna said he was given the drugs to swallow at a hotel in Ipodo area of Ikeja with the promise of a N300,000 cash reward if he successfully delivered the consignment in India.
In a similar case, another trafficker, Imran Taofeek Olalekan, was apprehended at the Lagos airport with concealed drugs in his luggage, accompanied by Ishola Isiaka Olalekan, who was later identified as his recruiter.
Imran in his confession, stated he returned from Dubai some years ago but still has a valid residence permit on his old passport. He claimed he was promised N1,500,000 if he successfully delivers the consignment in Oman, while his recruiter, Ishola was to be paid N200,000.
Interestingly, upon fully unpacking the two bags at the NDLEA office, a cjarm was discovered in one of them, with another found on the drug mule. The mule confessed to traveling to Ibadan, Oyo state, to meet with an ‘Alfa’ who provided the charm to ensure a safe trip without getting caught.
Furthermore, another charm was uncovered on the intermediary, Ishola Isiaka Olalekan, who escorted Taofeek to the airport departure area. Ishola admitted to acquiring the charms for N70,000.
In separate incidents, NDLEA operatives seized 2,144 parcels of Colorado cannabis at the Tincan seaport, intercepted traffickers with charms meant to evade detection, and re-arrested Gidado Sani, who had jumped bail on drug charges.
Further operations in Ogun, Kano, and Lagos resulted in the confiscation of large quantities of cannabis and the apprehension of additional suspects involved in drug trafficking.
The NDLEA, led by Chairman/CEO Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), commended the agency’s commands for their diligent efforts and emphasized the need to intensify actions against drug cartels.
The agency added that its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaigns would continue to be conducted nationwide to raise awareness and combat substance abuse within communities, schools, and transportation hubs.
