A convicted drug trafficker has again fallen into the dragnet of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, after operatives intercepted 75 parcels of cocaine weighing 1.50 kilograms at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, while the consignment was being prepared for export to the United Kingdom.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi, said the cocaine was ingeniously concealed inside factory-sealed sachets of cold-water starch and intercepted at the airport’s export shed.
Three cargo agents linked to the attempted shipment were arrested on Saturday, December 20, before investigations led operatives to the alleged mastermind.
Babafemi said the suspect was arrested the following day, Sunday, December 21, at a popular relaxation centre in Ikeja, where he had gone on a date with his girlfriend.
Checks from the agency’s criminal database showed that the suspect had been arrested in May 2023 over the seizure of 30.10 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed in powdered custard containers, also destined for London through the Lagos airport.
He was prosecuted at the Federal High Court, Lagos, in charge number FHC/L/337C/2023, convicted and sentenced to five years imprisonment with an option of a N7 million fine and one-month community service, effective December 4, 2023. Babafemi said the suspect paid the fine and soon returned to drug trafficking.
Beyond the airport interception, the NDLEA recorded multiple successes across the country during the period.
In Ekiti State, operatives on Monday, December 22, set ablaze tons of skunk, a strain of cannabis, alongside wooden warehouses in the Ara forest, Ara-Ekiti, while 638 kilograms of the substance were recovered.
In Edo State, NDLEA operatives intercepted three Toyota Camry vehicles along the Igara–Auchi road on Monday, December 22, recovering 1,205 blocks of compressed cannabis sativa weighing 883.1 kilograms.
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In Cross River State, a raid at Agoi-Ibami community in Yakurr Local Government Area on Sunday, December 21, led to the arrest of three suspects and the seizure of quantities of skunk.
Babafemi said a 42-year-old woman, Joy Oisamaye, was arrested with 38 kilograms of skunk along the Abaji–Abuja Expressway on Monday, December 22, while travelling from Otua in Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State.
In Lagos, a female suspect was arrested with 45.5 kilograms of skunk on Christmas Day at Agbara along the Badagry Expressway, while another suspect was nabbed with 18.5 kilograms of the same substance at Itoga, Badagry, on Wednesday, December 24.
In Taraba State, two suspects were arrested in the Takum area with a combined 48 kilograms of skunk on Tuesday, December 23, and Wednesday, December 24.
In Gombe State, a 65-year-old driver was intercepted along the Gombe–Biu highway while conveying 300 ampoules of pentazocine injection, 27,900 pills of tramadol and other opioids en route to Biu in Borno State.
The NDLEA spokesperson also disclosed that a 47-year-old businessman, wanted in connection with the seizure of 56 parcels of Loud, another strain of cannabis weighing 26 kilograms, at the Tin Can Island Port, Lagos, had been arrested.
The drugs were seized on December 10 during a joint container examination by the NDLEA, Customs and other security agencies, while a follow-up operation on December 19 led to the arrest of the suspect, identified as Ignatius, in Apapa.
Babafemi added that the agency sustained its War Against Drug Abuse sensitisation campaign during the week, with enlightenment programmes held in schools, worship centres, workplaces and communities nationwide, including a lecture for students and staff of Destiny Child Academy, Nkpor, Anambra State.
NAN
