The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has apprehended three sought-after members of a criminal network specializing in drug trafficking across multiple countries.
This information was shared in a statement signed by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, and posted on the agency’s website on Sunday.
The statement also disclosed that the recent confiscation of the largest heroin shipment at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos resulted in the recovery of 51.90Kg of heroin.
The statement explained, “More than two months after they were declared sought, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have apprehended three members of an organized criminal group that specializes in illegal drug trafficking across Nigeria, South Africa, Mozambique, Europe, and America following the recent seizure of the largest consignment of heroin at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, in Ikeja, Lagos.
“A total of 51.90Kg of heroin was retrieved from members of the drug cartel in an operation that began on February 10, 2024 at the SAHCO Import Shed of the airport’s Cargo Terminal.
“The shipment was hidden in 15 cartons of 2300-watt metal cutting machines, with at least 45 blocks of the illegal substance weighing 49.70kg recovered from the equipment, while an additional 2.2kg was seized at the syndicate’s warehouse in Ayobo area of Lagos.
“While the agency has secured interim forfeiture court order on hotel, mansions, vehicles, and funds linked to members of the syndicate after arresting four of them, a manhunt was also been launched for others who went underground. The effort, however, paid off on Friday, April 19, when two of the sought-after kingpins: Onyinyechi Irene Igbokwuputa and Frankline Uzochukwu were apprehended in Lagos and Awka, Anambra State respectively.
“Another sought-after member of the syndicate, Osita Obinna was also apprehended in Lagos.”
Similarly, NDLEA officers thwarted an attempt by a suspect, Iheakara Festus, to export a drug shipment through Terminal 2 of the Lagos airport to Muscat, Oman via an Ethiopian Airlines flight on April 18.
Upon searching his luggage, officers reportedly found 20 large parcels of cannabis weighing 9.80kg concealed inside.
In his confession, Festus, who resides in Muscat and returned to Nigeria on April 1, admitted to being hired as a courier for the drug, with an agreement to receive N1.2m upon successful delivery in Oman.
In Adamawa State, NDLEA operatives, on April 20, intercepted a Peugeot car driven by Dahiru Mohammed at Girei, carrying 1,250,000 pills of opioids weighing 450kg en route to Mubi.
Before this, they had intercepted a J5 bus loaded with motor spare parts from Onitsha, Anambra State, along the Ngurore-Yola Road.
Codeine Syrup and Tramadol were discovered hidden among the motor parts.
Subsequently, they apprehended the recipient, Jairus Nwanchor, at Jambutu Motor Park after a follow-up operation.
On April 20, three suspects – Beriakuma Chinrdu (40), Okpor Isaac (68), and Daniel Onyeachom (42) – were apprehended in Amarata, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
They were discovered with 69 compressed blocks of cannabis weighing 36kg, hidden in a secret compartment of a Toyota Picnic car with the marking MUS 711 DH.
Meanwhile, in Imo State on April 18, NDLEA officials arrested Kingsley Omeje (41) in Amajeke, Owerri, as he received a delivery of 49 bottles of codeine syrup he had requested.
In Ondo State, NDLEA officials raided the Oloro camp in Ogbese, Akure North LGA, where they apprehended Linus Odogwu (50).
They also demolished 25,000kg of cannabis on a 10-hectare farmland and found 89.5kg of the same substance.
Additionally, three other suspects – David Obungete Ekepenyoung (22), Oluwaseun Folorunso (23), and Rabiu Musa (32) – were apprehended in other parts of the state in connection to different seizures totaling 77kg.
