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Tag: NDLEA

  • NDLEA arrest prophet, 76 others with illicit drugs in Mushin

    NDLEA arrest prophet, 76 others with illicit drugs in Mushin

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA) said it raided Mushin area of Lagos and arrested a prophet, David Yekini, and 76 others with substances suspected to be hard drugs.

    The Deputy Commander, Operations and Training, NDLEA Lagos State Command, Mr. Adetula Oluwarotimi told newsmen in Lagos on Thursday.

    Oluwarotimi said that the operation was conducted by a combined team of 150 NDLEA and military officers and it lasted six hours.

    He said the raid was part of the war against drug abuse and to sanitise the society of bad elements ahead of the forthcoming elections.

    “Without the consumption of hard drugs, criminality will be minimal, and for NDLEA to ensure the forthcoming election is devoid of any crime, there must be visitations,” Oluwarotimi said.

    The deputy commander said hard drugs seized included Canadian Loud worth N5 million, Cannabis sativa weighing 146.85 kg, and 43.7grammes of Methamphetamine.

    Oluwarotimi said the NDLEA would interrogate the suspects to know the users of hard drugs that require rehabilitation.

    “While those that deal in illicit drugs among them would be charged to court,” he added.

    NDLEA in January seized about 10. 827 tonnes of illegal drugs and arrested 88 suspected drug offenders in Lagos state.

  • NDLEA arrest General Overseer for drugs hidden in kegs of palm oil

    NDLEA arrest General Overseer for drugs hidden in kegs of palm oil

    Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), have arrested the founder and General Overseer of Seraphic and Sabbath Assembly, Lagos, High Priest Nnodu Azuka Kenrick, for alleged drug trafficking.

    The Director, Media and Advocacy (NDLEA), Mr Femi Babafemi, said this in a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja.

    Babafemi said that a student of Emmanuel College of Theology, Samanta, Ibadan, Udoka Udezuka and their freight agent, Mary Obasi were arrested over attempt to export methamphetamine and skunk consignments.

    He said that the drugs were concealed in kegs of palm oil through the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO) export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, (MMIA), Ikeja,  Lagos, to Dubai, United Arab Emirate.

    Babafemi added that Nnodu was arrested on Feb. 1  at his Seraphic and Sabbath Assembly Church located at No 1, Sabbath Close, Ijesha area of Lagos, following the arrest of the two suspects.

    He said the suspects, Obasi and Udezuka, were arrested on Feb. 9, at the Lagos airport in connection with the seizure of 283 parcels of skunk.

    Babafemi said that the drugs were weighing 14.90 kilogrammes and 204 grams of methamphetamine concealed in four 25-litre kegs of palm oil for export to Dubai.

    “In her statement Mary indicted the General Overseer of her new-found church, Nnodu and his son, Chisom Obi, who is now at large, as the persons that gave her the consignments for export.

    “She said this was after being compelled to take an oath of secrecy as well as a sacrifice of chicken in the church while High Priest Nnodu prayed for her for the success of the transaction,” he said.

    Babafemi said that the suspect, spilling the beans on how she was recruited by her church GO, said the clergyman and his son used threats to compel her to take the job after they knew she had known their secrets.

    He also said that Nnodu was always referring to the illicit drugs as Ice and Bible, (Street names for Methamphetamine and Cannabis) in their telephone text message chats.

    “The theology student, Udezuka was introduced to Mary to assist her because she was new in the illicit business.

    “Udezuka said he was paid N2 million for his role and had to do it because he needed the money for his education,” he said.

  • VIDEO: WATCH moment NDLEA operatives uncovered drugs hidden in a jerry can

    VIDEO: WATCH moment NDLEA operatives uncovered drugs hidden in a jerry can

    A video depicting how NDLEA operatives discovered hard drugs well concealed in a jerry can has emerged online.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports the hard drugs wrapped up were carefully hidden inside a Jerry can.

    The NDLEA operatives carefully opened the can and the content turned out to be hard drugs.

    Watch:

     

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    A post shared by Media/News Company (@thenewsgurung)

  • Clergy nabbed over attempt to export meth, skunk concealed in kegs of palm oil to Dubai

    Clergy nabbed over attempt to export meth, skunk concealed in kegs of palm oil to Dubai

    Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested the founder and General Overseer of Seraphic and Sabbath Assembly, Lagos, High Priest Nnodu Azuka Kenrick, for drug trafficking.

    Spokesperson of the agency, Femi Babafemi, in a statement on Sunday, February 12, said the church leader was arrested alongside a student of Emmanuel College of Theology, Samanta, Ibadan, Udezuka Udoka and their freight agent, Oyoyo Mary Obasi over attempt to export methamphetamine and skunk consignments concealed in kegs of palm oil through the NAHCO export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos to Dubai, United Arab Emirate.

    Clergy nabbed over attempt to export meth, skunk concealed in kegs of palm oil to Dubai
    High Priest Nnodu Azuka Kenrick

    According to Babafemi, High Priest Nnodu was arrested on Saturday, February 11, at his Seraphic and Sabbath Assembly church located at No 1, Sabbath Close, Ijesha area of Lagos, following the arrest of two suspects: Oyoyo Mary Obasi and the theology student, Udezuka Udoka on Thursday 9th February at the Lagos airport in connection with the seizure of 283 parcels of skunk weighing 14.90 kilograms and 204 grams of methamphetamine concealed in four 25-litre kegs of palm oil for export to Dubai.

    Clergy nabbed over attempt to export meth, skunk concealed in kegs of palm oil to Dubai

    In her statement, Mary indicted the General Overseer of her new-found church, Nnodu and his son, Chisom Obi, who is now at large as the persons that gave her the consignments for export after being compelled to take an oath of secrecy as well as a sacrifice of chicken in the church while High Priest Nnodu prayed for her for the success of the transaction.

    Clergy nabbed over attempt to export meth, skunk concealed in kegs of palm oil to Dubai

    Spilling the beans on how she was recruited by her church’s GO, Mary said the clergyman and his son used threats to compel her to take the job after they knew she had known their secrets, adding that High Priest Nnodu was always referring to the illicit drugs as Ice and Bible, (Street names for Methamphetamine and Cannabis) in their telephone text message chats.

    The theology student, Udezuka was introduced to Mary to assist her because she was new in the illicit business. Udezuka said he was paid N2 million for his role and had to do it because he needed the money for his education.

  • NDLEA intercepts Europe-bound Cocaine at Lagos airport

    NDLEA intercepts Europe-bound Cocaine at Lagos airport

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has foiled attempts to export large consignments of illicit drugs including cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and ephedrine to Dubai and Europe.

    The Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi said in a statement on Sunday in Abuja that the drugs were intercepted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

    Babafemi said that the drugs were discovered by NDLEA operatives despite various disingenuous modes of concealment by the desperate drug cartels.

    He added that all those behind the efforts to export the illicit drugs were arrested.

    Babafemi said top on the list of those so far arrested in connection with the seizures was a Nigerian based in Athens, Greece, Iwuozor Edward Chinedu.

    According to Babafemi, Chinedu was disembarked from an Ethiopian airline flight on Friday after NDLEA officers in the tarmac intercepted two bags during a secondary check at the foot of the aircraft.

    “When the bags were searched in the presence of Chinedu and other airport stakeholders, two big pellets wrapped with foil papers and some sprinkles of pepper were recovered from each of the two sides of one of the bags.

    “The pellets were used to construct false walls at the sides of the bag. The two parcels contained substances that tested positive to cocaine and heroin with a gross weight of 1.30kgs and 900 grams respectively.

    “Chinedu claimed he came to Nigeria three months ago to do a surgery, which he was not comfortable doing in Athens. He further claimed he was given the bag to deliver in Greece for a fee of two million naira,” Babafemi said.

    The NDLEA spokesman also said operatives at the export shed of Nigerian Aviation Handling Company of the airport on Jan. 30, arrested a pregnant woman, Mrs Gloria Onome.

    Babafemi said that the arrest came after 800grams of skunk were discovered concealed in two small radio sets she was sending to Dubai, United Arab Emirate.

    “On the same day, operatives also intercepted a consignment going to Congo Kinshasa containing 111 bottles of body cream that were used to conceal 24.50kgs of ephedrine, a chemical precursor and active ingredient to produce methamphetamine.

    “The cargo was later traced to a trader at Alaba trade fair complex, Ojo area of Lagos, Onyekachukwu Uduekwelu after the initial arrest of two freight agents.

    “Another housewife, Mrs. Victoria Okpara was arrested at her residence at 37 Obashola street, Ijesha area of Lagos on Jan. 27, following the seizure of 300 grams of skunk hidden in a bag of crayfish she was sending to Dubai, UAE through a freight agent,” he said.

  • NDLEA bursts trans-border cartel, arrests 5 kingpins

    NDLEA bursts trans-border cartel, arrests 5 kingpins

    Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), have dismantled a trans-border drug cartel and arrested five leaders of the syndicates operating in parts of the world.

    This is contained in a statement by the Director, Media, and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr. Femi Babafemi, on Sunday in Abuja.

    Babafemi said that the drug were seized in a special operation that lasted weeks during which different quantities of skunk, methamphetamine and ephedrine were recovered.

    He said that air compressors used to conceal and distribute them globally were recovered during the operations.

    He also said that the special operation came on the heels of a warning by the NDLEA Chairman, retired, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, that drug barons and cartels would have it rough in 2023 if they failed to back out of the criminal business.

    According to him, leaders of the cartel are spread across Dubai, UAE; Cotonou, Benin Republic; Togo; Oman, Thailand and Europe as well as Lagos, Imo and Onitsha in Nigeria.

    “They have been on Christmas and New Year holidays in their villages and were still coordinating efforts to send their illicit consignments to Dubai and other parts of the world.

    “Their lid was blown open on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022, when their freight agent, Collins Onyeisue, was arrested by NDLEA officers.

    “Onyeisue was arrested at the Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc (SAHCO) export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.

    “The arrest of the suspect was for attempting to export three big automobile air compressors to Dubai.

    “A quick follow up operation led to the recovery of additional five compressors at his home at 24 Legacy road, Ayobo area of Lagos,” he said.

    Babafemi said that a total of 27.50kgs of skunk were taken out of the air compressors after welding equipment were used to cut them open.

    He added that further investigations revealed that the freight agent was working for a bigger organised criminal group.

    According to him, as a result, extensive operational tools were deployed to track the first kingpin, Peter Obioma, who lives in Benin Republic and Togo but comes occasionally to do business in Lagos.

    “The efforts paid off on Saturday, Jan. 7, when Obioma walked into the waiting arms of NDLEA operatives with a bag containing additional air compressors.

    “This was used to conceal 15.7kgs skunk and a crystalline substance that later tested positive to methamphetamine after the agency’s sniffer dogs identified compressors with drug concealment.

    “Obioma’s statement led to the unraveling of two other leaders of the cartel: Dubai-based Ugo Kelechi Alex (aka KC) and Iwueke Ugochukwu (aka Odugwu), an Onitsha-based businessman.

    “They were at that point still enjoying their Christmas and New Year holidays in their village in Imo state,” he said.

    Babafemi said that a well-coordinated operation was thereafter carried out on Tuesday, Jan. 10, at their ancestral homes in Umuobi village, Igbejere community, Ihitte-Uboma LGA, Imo State.

    He said that the arrow head of the cartel identified as Obinna Ezenwekwe, an automobile parts dealer at Alaba International market, Lagos, was put under surveillance.

    “A Lexus SUV and a Toyota jeep were immediately recovered from Kelechi and Iwueke.

    “After so many dramatic bids to evade arrest, NDLEA operatives eventually pinned Obinna down at a bar in Mazamaza, Mile 2 area of Lagos on Saturday, 14th January.

    “A search of his home led to the recovery of 607 grams of ephedrine, a handful of Cannabis weighing 20 grams as well as other paraphernalia.

    “This also includes 271 grams of dimethyl sulfone used as a cutting agent for ephedrine, a chemical precursor and an active ingredient for the production of methamphetamine.

    “A weighing scale and an International passport were equally recovered from his house,” he said.

  • NDLEA destroys 317 tons of cannabis in Edo forest, arrests 4

    NDLEA destroys 317 tons of cannabis in Edo forest, arrests 4

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), says it has destroyed and set ablaze over 317,417 kgs (317.4 metric tons) of cannabis sativa in the Opuje forests, Edo.

    The Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi, disclosed this on Saturday in a statement made available to Journalists in Abuja.

    Babafemi said that this happened barely hours after the Chairman, NDLEA, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, vowed to make life tough for drug barons and cartels in the new year if they failed to back out of the illicit trade.

    He said that Operatives of the agency have dealt a lethal blow to a cluster of cannabis syndicates operating in the said forest during the two-day operation.

    “At least, a police impersonator, Omoruan Theophilus, 37, who parades as a Police Inspector to convey the drugs from the forests to the cities, was arrested.

    “And three others: Aigberuan Jacob, 42; Ekeinde Anthony Zaza, 53, and Naomi Patience Ohiewere, 42, were also arrested in connection with the drugs,” he said.

    Babafemi said that the Opuje community in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo is notorious for cannabis cultivation, where the cartels invest huge resources.

    This, he said, involved cutting down economic trees of the forest and cultivating cannabis on a large scale, running into hundreds of hectares.

    “After harvest, they build warehouses inside the forest reserves and employ the services of armed youths to protect the warehouses 24/7.

    “Accessing the forest on Wednesday January 18, took hours of trekking by hundreds of NDLEA operatives who were ambushed with bonfire by armed youths on their way out of the community the following day.

    “They were, however, able to successfully leave the area without any casualty except the heavy investment losses inflicted on the cartels,” he said.

    In the same vein, the agency on Thursday, Jan. 19, through intelligence received from the Drug Enforcement Administration of the United States, busted a criminal syndicate.

    Babafemi said that the suspect was involved in the trafficking of fake American currency in Lagos.

    He said that during a combined operation carried out by NDLEA operatives with their EFCC colleagues, a total of US$269,000 counterfeit currency were recovered from the syndicate.

    This, he said, was at Oniru Shoprite area of Lekki, Lagos, where three suspects were arrested.

    He quoted Marwa as commending all the officers involved in the two special operations in Edo and Lagos for their professionalism and commitment.

    Marwa directed that the suspects arrested (with their fake dollars) in the Lekki operation be immediately transferred to the EFCC for possible prosecution.

  • Hemp: Niger LG Boss appears before NDLEA over trending video

    Hemp: Niger LG Boss appears before NDLEA over trending video

    The Chairman of Chanchaga Local Government in Niger, Alhaji Aminu Ladan, has disowned a trending video clip of him encouraging some youths to use the council secretariat to smoke weed.

    Ladan told operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Thursday in Minna that the viral video was doctored by those who posted it on the Internet to tarnish his image and scuttle his political career.

    Ladan was invited for questioning by the NDLEA over the matter.

    “As a leader I will never make such a derogatory and inciting statement that will destroy the society rather than build it.

    “The video clip on social media was doctored by my political rivals to achieve their selfish interest of destroying my political career,” he said.

    He appealed to the people of the state, especially residents of Chanchaga local government area to remain calm and ignore the video.

    The Chairman challenged members of the public to watch the full video clip to ascertain the truth.

    Dr Mohammed Malami, Commander Zone “C” of the NDLEA,  said that the trending video clip was embarrassing and an attempt to sabotage the work of the anti-narcotic agency.

    “The video was disturbing, being that we are approaching the general elections.

    “Also the Niger Command of the agency was commended twice recently by the Headquarters for ensuring drug demand reduction,” he said.

    Malami appreciated the local government chairman for honouring the Agency’s invitation to explain the content of the video.

    Earlier, Mr Haruna Kwetishe, the state NDLEA Commander, said that the command was extremely worried about the video clip encouraging young people to use the local government secretariat as a joint to smoke hemp.

    “When we saw the video it gave us concern and we invited the local government chairman for clarification.

    “He has debunked the statement, saying that the video clip was doctored by some persons for their political interest.

    “Therefore, his debunking of the allegation has settled our minds,” he said.

    Kwetishe said that after reviewing the whole content of the video clip, it was clear that someone doctored it to achieve a particular purpose.

    “We want members of the public to be careful with some of the video content on the social media.

    “Some people may edit a video to indict someone, living the person with the burden of dispelling the rumour,” he said.

    He assured the people that the agency would continue to work towards eradicating illicit drugs in the state.

  • Gunmen ambush NDLEA operatives, soldiers, escape with Lagos drug baron

    Gunmen ambush NDLEA operatives, soldiers, escape with Lagos drug baron

    Suspected gunmen numbering about 20 on Tuesday ambushed some operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, who were trailing a drug baron from the Agege area of Lagos Mainland.

    The operatives were trying to intercept a truck conveying unknown quantities of Canadian Loud on Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos State around 1 am when they came under a rain of gunfire but the attackers were repelled with the assistance of some soldiers.

    However, the hoodlums escaped with the baron who had been on the watch list of the drug agency for some time.

    The incident is coming against the backdrop of the arrests of several drug lords and the crippling of their criminal enterprise, leading to seizures of huge quantities of narcotics and other illicit drugs.

    It was gathered that the NDLEA recently froze 126 bank accounts belonging to a suspected drug lord, Nsofor Chukwukadibia.

    The accounts domiciled in various commercial banks had cash inflows of N4.3bn and outflows of N7.9bn, while over N50bn had passed through them.

    The NDLEA also confiscated 20 mansions belonging to the suspected drug baron located in Lagos, Abuja and the South-East.

    However, the drug traffickers have been fighting hard against the drug agency’s onslaught by launching attacks on its operatives.

    Confirming the Tuesday attack in Lagos, the Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, explained that the agency successfully seized a truckload of Canadian Loud during the operation.

    According to Babafemi, Canadian Loud is a very strong and expensive variant of cannabis.

    He said, “It is usually imported from Canada and shipped through neighboring countries like Ghana and Benin Republic from where the cartels try to smuggle them into Lagos as in this particular case.”

    Babafemi said, “Operatives of the agency trailed a drug movement from the Agege area of Lagos Mainland to the Ikoyi area of Lagos Island in the early hours of Tuesday, January 10, 2023.

    “Our operatives blocked the truck and in the process, some suspected fake security agents who were escorting the truck struggled with our operatives, and they eventually escaped with the suspect.

    “But our men were able to get the drug-filled truck. The gunmen damaged NDLEA’s operational vehicle and tried to demobilize our operatives as they damaged the windscreen of the vehicle.

    “But our operatives got the support of some soldiers who were nearby during the attack, and the soldiers supported the efforts of our operatives, leading our operatives to successfully move the truck containing the drugs to our office.”

    But the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi doubted the involvement of police officers in the attack, noting that the necessary steps would be taken if investigations by the NDLEA identified the attackers as police officers.

    Adejobi said, “I doubt the veracity of the claim that the attackers were police officers. No reasonable police officer would involve themselves in drug dealing or attack operatives of the NDLEA during an operation to arrest a drug baron; instead, police officers are supposed to work with the NDLEA to nab criminals.”

  • NDLEA intercepts drugs concealed in sculpture, imported vehicle

    NDLEA intercepts drugs concealed in sculpture, imported vehicle

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), on Sunday, said it intercepted a consignment of illicit drugs about to be brought into the country by suspected criminals.

    The Director, of Media, and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr. Femi Babafemi, said in a statement in Abuja that the suspects used disingenuous modes of concealment to import the consignment.

    Babafemi said NDLEA operatives also foiled attempts to export drugs to the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirate through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, and Tincan Port in Lagos.

    He said a freight agent, Ogunsina Damilare, was arrested on Jan. 6, following a bid to export 1.5 kilograms of skunk, hidden in foodstuffs, to Dubai, UAE, through the Skyway Aviation Handling Company.

    He said the agency also frustrated an attempt to ship to the United Kingdom 11.5kgs of the same substance concealed in a giant wooden sculpture at a courier company in Lagos.

    The director also said a shipment of 24.5kilograms of cannabis sativa imported to Nigeria from Montreal, Canada was intercepted by operatives at the Tincan Port.

    “Also, N8 million bribe offered to NDLEA officers by the importer has been secured in an account for the prosecution of the case.

    “The importer, Cedrick Maduweke, is still at large; one of his accomplices, Steve Isioma Adigwe, has been arrested.

    “The consignment was hidden in a used Toyota Sienna vehicle that arrived the port along with three other cars in a container marked MSMU 5082733,” he said.

    Babafemi quoted the Chairman, NDLEA, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd.) as commending the officers and men of Lagos, Kaduna, Kano, and Imo Commands for the arrests and seizures.

    He said Marwa charged the officers and their compatriots across the country to intensify the heat on drug cartels in Nigeria, while balancing their efforts on supply reduction with drug demand reduction activities.