A drug baroness and four other kingpins have been arrested with multi-billion naira worth of cocaine, opioids and loud recovered from their hideouts.
Their arrest followed an operation by operatives of a special unit of the National Drug Law (NDLEA) in different parts of Lagos State.
This was as three major illicit drug syndicates were subsequently taken down in intelligence-led operations by the NDLEA operatives.
The anti-narcotics agency also recovered and seized 2.7 million pills of tramadol, 62.29kg cocaine, ephedrine, loud and over 13 tons of skunk in four states.
These were contained in a release, today, by the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi.
A female head of one of the syndicates, Faith Ebele Nwankwo, was arrested last Wednesday at her residence, House 6, C close, 3rd Avenue, Festac, Lagos.
This was shortly after she returned from a warehouse at Plot 3432 Sola Akinsola Street, Divine Estate, Amuwo Odofin.
According to the release, the drug baroness loaded eight cartons of tramadol 225mg into an unmarked white Honda Pilot SUV.
“A search of her 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.
“The drugs and the SUV were recovered while the suspect was taken into custody,” it was stated in the release.
Another operation was targeted at a group of transnational syndicate involved in importation, exportation, distribution, and dealing in cocaine and Canadian Loud.
Operatives of the same special unit of the agency tracked the drug syndicate to Atlantic Nominee Estate in Lekki- Ajah area of Lagos, in the operation carried out on Friday, 4 August, 2023.
“A blue Toyota Highlander SUV, loaded with 8.49kg of cocaine and 10.3kg Canadian Loud for distribution by Urama Chinemelum Precious (32) and Adelakun Ilelabayo Oluade (55), was recovered.
“A follow-up operation at the residence of Chinemelum at House 7, Road 7, Lagra Estate, Eti-Osa, Lagos led to the recovery of additional 18 blocks of Loud weighing 18.5kg.
“The following day, Saturday, 5 August, operatives of the special unit went after another syndicate, following intelligence that members of the cartel were planning to divert 25 kilograms of the substance.
The syndicate was said to be involved in importation, distribution and diversion of ephedrine hydrochloride, a precursor chemical used for the production of methamphetamine.
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.
They were caught at the bus terminus while allegedly 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,” it was stated in the release.
NDLEA operatives recovered over 13,391.8 kilograms of skunk in operations across four other states of Ogun, Ondo, Edo and Nasarawa states.
No fewer than 1,955kgs of the illicit substance packed in 139 jumbo bags was recovered in the warehouse of a wanted notorious drug dealer, Lekan Jimoh (aka Konmo Konmo) in Ado Odo Ota area of Ogun State in the early hours of last Saturday.
NDLEA operatives made the recovery in collaboration with officers and men of the Nigerian Army.
Ogbu Paul Odey (30); Daniel Osidi (34); John Iyage (41); Friday Simon (28); and Friday James (24) were arrested in Ondo State.
The five men were arrested in connection with the seizure and/or destruction of over 10,325.5kgs of cannabis sativa in Iju and Ala forests, in Akure area of the state between last and Thursday.
22-year-old James Aga was caught with 10kg skunk during the raid of an uncompleted building on the outskirts of Utese town in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State, last Friday.
976kg of the same substance was also recovered from the building, in addition to the recovery of four motorcycles.
At least, 46.545kgs of skunk were recovered and 1.581146 hectares of cannabis farms destroyed in an operation in Utese Forest, last Tuesday.
Two suspects, Onyelunisue Azuka (48) and Abraham Ayomide (30), were also arrested during the operation.
49-year-old Umar Abdullahi was arrested with 64.8kgs of cannabis sativa in Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, last Friday.
NDLEA operatives of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI), last Wednesday, intercepted a 4.5kg consignment of Loud coming from the United States at a courier firm in Lagos.
Chairman/CEO of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, has reacted to the clinical dismantling of the three drug syndicates and arrest of their kingpins.
He commended the officers and men of the NDLEA Special Unit for being pro-active and pragmatic in the operations.
He also applauded their colleagues in Ogun, Ondo, Edo and Nasarawa Commands as well as those of DOGI for their zeal and professionalism.
Marwa charged them and their compatriots across the country to remain vigilant and focused, Femi Babafemi concluded in the release.
