The operatives of a special unit of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a female drug dealer, Faith Ebele Nwankwo, and four other kingpins with multi-billion naira worth of cocaine, opioids, and loud at their hideouts in Lagos State.

Nwankwo was arrested on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, at her residence, House 6, C close, 3rd Avenue, Festac area of Lagos shortly after she returned from a warehouse at Akinsola Street, Divine Estate, Amuwo Odofin where she loaded eight cartons of tramadol 225mg into an unmarked white Honda Pilot SUV.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the NDLEA Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, on Sunday, August 13.

Babafemi stated that a search of Nwankwo’s residence and the warehouse led to the recovery of 2,750,000 pills of tramaking, a brand of tramadol 225mg and 250mg packed in 39 cartons weighing 1,916 kilograms.

He said the drugs and the SUV were recovered while the suspect was taken into custody.

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He added that the operatives of the same special unit of the NDLEA on Friday, August 4, tracked the drug syndicate to Atlantic Nominee Estate in Lekki-Ajah area of Lagos where a blue Toyota Highlander SUV was loaded with 8.49kg of cocaine and 10.3kg Canadian Loud for distribution by the duo of Urama Chinemelum Precious, 32, and 55-year-old Adelakun Ilelabayo Oluade.

The NDLEA spokesperson noted that a follow-up operation at the residence of Chinemelum at Lagra estate, Eti-Osa, Lagos led to the recovery of additional 18 blocks of Loud weighing 18.5kg.

Babafemi added: “The following day, Saturday 5th August, operatives of the Special Unit went after another syndicate involved in importation, distribution and diversion of ephedrine hydrochloride, a precursor chemical used for the production of methamphetamine, following intelligence that members of the cartel were planning to divert 25 kilograms of the substance.

“Two members of the syndicate: Udeh Vincent Ogbonna, 53, and Okonkwo Ifeanyi Uzozie, 50, were arrested at a commercial bus terminal in Jibowu, Yaba, Lagos where they were attempting to send the concealed substance to the South East.

“A body search conducted on the two suspects led to the recovery of $3,000 found on Udeh Vincent Ogbonna.”

In his reaction, the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), commended the anti-narcotics officers for being proactive and pragmatic in the operations.

Marwa also applauded the NDLEA officers for their zeal and professionalism, urging them and their compatriots across the country to remain vigilant and focused.

The Star