The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has successfully dismantled an extensive drug syndicate with operations spanning Nigeria, South Africa, and Thailand, resulting in the arrest of five cartel members and significant seizures of illicit drugs.
According to a statement released by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, and published on the agency’s website, the syndicate utilized various methods to conceal drugs, including hiding them in false suitcase bottoms and gas tankers. NDLEA operatives tracked down the suspects across multiple states in Nigeria.
The operation commenced with the interception of a cargo consisting of four large suitcases at the NAHCO import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos. The suitcases arrived on an Air Peace airline flight from Johannesburg, South Africa, containing illicit drugs.
After days of surveillance and investigation, the first suspect, Umeh Peter, was apprehended while attempting to collect two of the suitcases containing Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis. The consignment, concealed in false bottoms, amounted to 17.6 kilograms of Loud and drug candies.
Further investigations led to the arrest of Chiwendu Ugbe in Anambra State and two other suspects, Onyejakor Francis Chimezie and Naaji Valentine Chukwukere, in Lagos. Chiwendu Ugbe was caught trying to collect drug parcels sent by her husband, Aloytus Ugbe, based in South Africa.
Subsequent operations in Abia State resulted in the arrest of Chinazo Osigwe, who was caught attempting to collect drug parcels sent by her husband, Osigwe Chidiebere Anthony, also operating from South Africa.
In addition to these arrests, NDLEA operatives intercepted a gas tanker on the Abuja-Abaji highway, uncovering 4,752 kilograms of cannabis sativa hidden in the tank. Four suspects were arrested in connection with this significant seizure.
Furthermore, NDLEA operatives conducted various operations across the country, resulting in the arrest of suspects with large quantities of drugs, including cannabis sativa, codeine syrup, tramadol, and cocaine. These operations led to arrests in states such as Osun, Lagos (at the Seme border), Bauchi, Benue, and Bayelsa.
The successful bust of this international drug syndicate underscores NDLEA’s commitment to combating drug trafficking and its associated criminal activities within and outside Nigeria.
