The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has apprehended three members of a criminal organization involved in illicit drug trafficking across Nigeria, South Africa, Mozambique, Europe, and America. This arrest comes after a two-month search for the suspects, following the recent seizure of the largest consignment of heroin at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
According to Femi Babafemi, the Director of Media and Advocacy at NDLEA Headquarters in Abuja, a total of 51.90 kilograms of heroin was recovered from the drug cartel. The operation began on February 10, 2024, at the SAHCO Import Shed of the airport’s Cargo Terminal, where 45 blocks of heroin weighing 49.70kg were found concealed in metal cutting machines. An additional 2.2kg was seized at the syndicate’s warehouse in Ayobo, Lagos.
The agency has also secured an interim forfeiture court order on assets belonging to the syndicate members, including hotels, mansions, vehicles, and funds. Two of the wanted kingpins, Onyinyechi Irene Igbokwuputa and Frankline Uzochukwu, were arrested in Lagos and Awka, Anambra state, respectively. Another member, Osita Emmanuel Obinna, was arrested in Lagos.
In a related development, NDLEA officers thwarted an attempt to export a drug consignment through the Lagos airport to Muscat, Oman. They intercepted a suspect with 20 parcels of cannabis weighing 9.80kg concealed in his bag. The agency also intercepted a vehicle in Adamawa state carrying 1,250,000 pills of opioids weighing 450kg, and arrested three suspects in Bayelsa state with 69 blocks of cannabis weighing 36kg.
Commands across the country have intensified their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy lectures as part of efforts to reduce drug demand. NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), commended the efforts of officers and men of the agency for their balanced approach in drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction activities.
