In a significant breakthrough, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled an international drug syndicate operating across Nigeria, South Africa, and Thailand. The operation resulted in the arrest of five suspects involved in the illicit drug trade.
According to NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi, the crackdown on the drug cartel unfolded over a two-week intelligence-led operation spanning Lagos, Abia, and Anambra states.
The operation was initiated following the interception of illicit drug consignments at the NAHCO import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
The unraveling of the drug syndicate began when a cargo of four large suitcases arrived at the NAHCO shed on an Air Peace airline flight from Johannesburg, South Africa.
One suspect, Umeh Chisom Peter, was apprehended on April 24th while attempting to collect two of the suitcases containing Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis. These suitcases were owned by a Thailand-based member of the syndicate, Obum Michael.
Babafemi revealed that the four suitcases contained a total of 17.6 kilograms of Loud and drug candies, concealed in false bottoms.
Following Peter’s arrest, another suspect, Mrs. Chiwendu Uche Ugbe, was apprehended in Anambra state on April 27th while trying to collect drug parcels sent to her by her husband, who is based in South Africa.
In further operations, two additional suspects with ties to the cartel, Onyejakor Francis Chimezie and Naaji Valentine Chukwukere, were arrested in different parts of Lagos on April 29th. Their apprehension led to another operation in Abia, resulting in the arrest of Mrs. Chinazo Osigwe, who was attempting to collect drug parcels sent by her husband, also based in South Africa.
The coordinated efforts of the NDLEA have dealt a significant blow to the operations of this international drug syndicate, demonstrating the agency’s commitment to combatting drug trafficking and ensuring the safety and well-being of Nigerian citizens.