By Promise Eze
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has successfully intercepted a significant quantity of methamphetamine concealed in powdered custard containers.
Femi Babafemi, Director of Media & Advocacy at NDLEA Headquarters in Abuja, released this statement on Sunday, May 21, 2023.
The drug was part of a consolidated cargo destined for London, United Kingdom, at the SAHCO export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
On Tuesday, May 16, NDLEA operatives seized the illicit drug consignment, weighing 30.10 kilograms, with an estimated street value of N567 million.
Subsequent operations led to the arrest of a freight agent named Nwobodo Chidiebere, a female suspect named Chioma Lucy Akutal, and the drug lord behind the shipment, Charles Chinedu Ezeh. Ezeh was apprehended on Thursday, May 18, at Sotel Suites in Lagos.
Investigations revealed that Ezeh, who claimed to be a businessman dealing in articles in Onitsha, Anambra State, had been residing in London with his family until he fled to Nigeria in December 2022 following his involvement in a drug-related offense in the UK.
Despite his assertions of living in hotels since his return, operatives discovered his mansion at No. 1 Hawawu Abikan Street in Lekki, Lagos, on Friday, May 19. A search of the property yielded his travel and property documents, among other items.
In another operation, NDLEA operatives in Adamawa arrested a notorious drug dealer named Prince Ikechukwu Uzoma in the Mubi area of the state on Monday, May 15. Uzoma had previously been arrested and convicted for drug offenses, serving sentences of six months in 2017 and two years in 2019.
Additionally, a trans-border trafficker named Faisal Mohammed was arrested on Wednesday, May 17, in Mubi. He was transporting 2,376 sachets of tramadol, amounting to 23,760 pills, concealed in three blue rubber Jerrycans hidden underneath the trailer.
The NDLEA also carried out successful operations in other states. In Oyo, two suspects named Osas Susan and Thomas Biodun were apprehended in Gambari, Ogbomoso North LGA, with 2.13 kilograms of cannabis. Idris Muhammed was nabbed with 4,500 pills of tramadol during a search of a commercial bus along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
Bulus Mikah, aged 63, was arrested in Kafanchan, Kaduna State, with over 5 kilograms of opioids, including tramadol, diazepam, rohypnol, and exol-5. Shehu Muhammadu Dandare, 25, was found in possession of 965 kilograms of cannabis in Maraban Jos, Igabi LGA, Kaduna state.
In Edo state, a warehouse containing 552 kilograms of cannabis was discovered, and 10 suspects were arrested in different parts of Onitsha, Anambra state, with 5.587 kilograms of cannabis sativa, 144.4 grams of methamphetamine, and 48,260 capsules of tramadol.
In Kwara, two suspects named Mohammed Isa and Mohammed Haman were arrested along the Ilorin/Lagos road while en route to Maiduguri, Borno state.
The suspects were found in possession of 6 kilograms of cannabis, 50 grams of methamphetamine, and 20 pieces of military camouflage caps and uniforms. On the same day, one Ibrahim Abdullahi was apprehended in Sara town, Gwaram LGA, Jigawa state, with 120 kilograms of cannabis.
Furthermore, during a raid on a drug joint in Idanre, Ondo state, NDLEA operatives seized 628 bottles of a new psychoactive substance known as skuchies. Four suspects were arrested in connection with the operation: Olamide Olusola, Abiodun Tijjani, Fatope Temidayo, and Agba Ob.
In Kano, a suspect named Kayode Hakeem was apprehended in Hawan Dawaki with 293 blocks of cannabis weighing 211.6 kilograms.
Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, commended the officers and men of the MMIA command for their professionalism and swift action in tracking down and arresting Charles Chinedu Ezeh, another drug kingpin.
He urged the operatives in Adamawa, Oyo, Kaduna, Edo, Kwara, Jigawa, Ondo, Kano, and other commands across the country to remain vigilant and dedicated in their efforts.
