The operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested no fewer than 11 drug traffickers for attempting to smuggle large consignments of assorted illicit substances through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

Besides the 11 suspects, a 35-year-old physically challenged lady, Kasarachi Onumajuru who hid under her condition to deal drugs in Umudumaonu community, Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State was also arrested on Sunday, May 29.

This was disclosed via a statement issued and made available to The Star on Sunday by NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi.

Babafemi stated that one Ofor Chima Chileobi who had on Friday, May 29 attempted to export to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), 200 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 30.20kg concealed in 40 sacks of bitter leaf through the SAHCO export shed, was arrested at a cargo wing of the Lagos airport.

He added that on the same day, 10 cartons of khat with a gross weight of 354.600kg were seized at the NAHCO import shed of the airport.

“The following day, Saturday 21st May, a freight agent, Roland Orinami was arrested by NDLEA operatives attached to the local wing of the Lagos airport with1.90kg Loud, a variant of cannabis, factory packed in some bottles while trying to send same via flight to Abuja.

“A follow-up operation in Abuja led to the arrest of a taxi driver, Nsikak Evans sent to collect the consignment. His confession also led to the arrest of the actual owner, Adesanya Olakunle Isaac at his house in Life Camp area of Abuja.

“Adesanya, who claims to be into Information Technology, accepted ownership of the seized drug, which he said was meant for an upcoming birthday party of one of his friends,” the NDLEA spokesperson stated.

Babafemi stated that another freight agent, Moshood Azeez Olaide, was arrested on Tuesday, May 24 at NAHCO export shed of Lagos airport when he presented a cargo containing psychotropic substances heading to Dubai.

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He noted that the illegal consignment was packed into other items such as can drinks, liquid bitters and other non-controlled drugs.

The anti-drug spokesman disclosed that the seized drugs include Tramadol 225mg, Rohypnol and MDMA, adding that a follow-up operation led to the arrest of another suspect linked to the crime, Olagboye Selim, on Friday, May 27.

Babafemi added: “Also on the same day, operatives of the Nigerian Customs Service at NAHCO import shed transferred 15 cartons of khat leaf with a gross weight of 256.70kg, which came into the country on Royal Air Moroc to NDLEA command at the airport.

“The previous day, Monday 23rd May, another freight agent, Lasebikan Felix Gbega was arrested with 200 bottles of pentazocine injection, with a brand name “Drutapent” weighing 1.05kg. The consignment was heading to the United States of America.

“Another agent, Akuta Chioma Lucy was on Thursday 26th May arrested at the SAHCO export shed while attempting to export 14.75kg of khat concealed inside other vegetable leaves and food condiments such as bitter leaf, scent leaf, pepper, all packed in bags for shipment to the United Kingdom.”

The anti-narcotic further stated that a 45-year-old man, Ezika Ugochukwu Nicholas, who hails from Ichida, Anocha area of Anambra State was arrested at the Abuja airport on Thursday, May 26 for ingesting 60 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.037kg on arrival from Addis Ababa on board Ethiopian airline.

“Ezika who claims he’s into shoe business before his arrest travelled to Ethiopia on 23rd May on the invitation of the person who gave him the drug, which he ingested before returning into the waiting arms of NDLEA officers at the Abuja airport,” he added.

Babafemi noted that efforts by drug cartels to export 4kg methamphetamine concealed in nylon rolls to New Zealand were also thwarted by anti-narcotic officers attached to a courier company in Lagos just as they blocked different quantities of cannabis sativa and Tramadol hidden in soles of slippers from being shipped to Oman through the same firm.

Speaking on the arrests and seizures, the Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), commended the anti-drug officers for sustaining the heat on drug cartels.

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