The operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have seized substances identified as cocaine and methamphetamine worth N4 billion in Abia State. The agency also added that two siblings have been arrested in connection to the substances.
According to NDLEA, the siblings are Kelechi Nwaobasi and Chinwe Nwaobasi. They weresaid to have been arrested during a special investigation conducted between June 13 and 14, 2023.
This was contained in a statement on Sunday by the NDLEA’s Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi. He stated that the siblings were arrested following months of intelligence gathering.
Babafemi added that leaders of the cartel were also arrested. And that a combined seizure of 20.76 kilograms of cocaine and methamphetamine were recovered from them.
The statement read, “A cartel controlled by a drug baron, 49-year-old Kelechi Monday Nwaobasi and his 50-year-old elder sister, Ms. Chinwe Rose Nwaobasi, had been taken down by officers of the Special Operation Unit of the NDLEA. This is following the arrest of the siblings and seizure of cocaine and methamphetamine consignments worth over N4.1bn in street value from their hideout in Aba, Abia State commercial city.
“The special operation conducted on Thursday and Friday, June 13 and 14, 2024, at 3B, Boundary Avenue, Aba and a residence along Ohia Road, Ohia, Abia State followed months of intelligence gathering. And leading to the arrest of the ring leaders and the combined seizure of 20.76 kilograms of cocaine and methamphetamine from them.”
Babafemi stated that four suspects connected with the importation and distribution of opioids were arrested in Lagos.
He added that a total of 82,000 bottles of the opioid worth more than N600 million were recovered from the suspects.
The NDLEA Director said, “In a related development, the NDLEA operatives in Lagos State have uncovered an expansive warehouse stocked with a large consignment of codeine-based syrup. Located at Comfort Oboh area of Kirikiri. Where four persons connected with the importation and distribution of the opioid were arrested during an intelligence-led raid on the facility.
“Those arrested include: Kingsley Amanambu Obumneke, 38. Emeka Emmanuel, 48. Bonaventure Ugochukwu, 59; and Martin Dike, 56. While a total of 82,000 bottles of the opioid worth more than N600m in street value, Toyota Tacuma truck and two buses used for distributing the substance were recovered from the premises on Monday, June 10, 2024. When the NDLEA officers conducted the operation.”
Babafemi also pointed that other suspects with opioids were arrested in Lagos and Kano states.
“Two days after, Wednesday, June 12, operatives intercepted another suspect, Ibrahim Abdulhamid, with 29,100 pills of tramadol and other opioids. As well as 3.9 litres of codeine syrup at Alaba Suru, Ojo Local Council Development Area of Lagos State.
“A total of 230,600 pills of tramadol 225mg and 200mg were recovered from the duo of Yasir Rabi’u, 23, and Abubakar Ado, 30. They are major distributors of illicit drugs in Kano and Jigawa States. They were arrested on Monday, June 10, at the Gadar Tamburawa area of Kano.
“In the same vein, another suspect, Hassan Abdullahi Ali, 25, was nabbed with 150 bottles of codeine syrup. He was arrested at Kofar Nassarawa area of Kano. The arrest was carried out on Tuesday, June 11.
In Ogun State, Babafemi said the NDLEA operatives seized 390kg of cannabis. And the agency arrested the trio of Muhammad Sani, Nura Mohammad and Samaila Rabe. The arrest was carried out during an early morning raid in the Ibese area of the State on June 10.
He added that its officers on Wednesday, June 12, busted a scrunchies-making factory in the Sabo area of Sagamu town. Seven suspects were arrested during the operation.
He gave the names of those arrested as Bamidele Wasiu, Rasheed Olarewanju, Ramota Lawal, Amudalat Olarewanju; and Adeniyi Omotosho.
“Exhibits recovered from them include 387 litres of skuchies. 70 litres of industrial codeine. 25kg of cannabis and different quantities of tramadol, rophynol, and diazepam. As well as various equipment used in the production of the new psychoactive substance.”
According to agency, two suspects were arrested in the Federal Capital Territory with 3,550 bottles of “Akuskura”. This is a new mixture of psychotropic substances.
It stated, “In Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, two suspects: Muhammad Abba, 33, and Samson Ehizogie, 42, were arrested with 3,550 bottles of “Akuskura”, a new mixture of psychotropic substances, by operatives during a raid on Friday, June 14 at Garki Area 10 and Dutse Suokale, both within the FCT.”
source: PUNCH
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