NDLEA uncovers over 9.40Kgs heroin concealed in travel bag’s false bottom, 1.924kg Skunk in cream tube, others at Lagos air, sea ports
Several kilograms of assorted illicit substances have been intercepted by operatives of the National Drug Law and Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), amongst them are a 9.40 kilograms of Heroin and 1.924 kilograms of Skunk concealed in false bottom of travel bags and cream tube, respectively.
It was learnt that the over 9.40 kilograms of heroin concealed in false bottoms of his two travelling bags were recovered from a businessman identified as Kingsley Celestino at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos State.
Report has it that Kingsley, a business class passenger on Qatar Airline flight was arrested at Terminal 2 of the Muritala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) on Saturday, March 4, 2023 on his way to India.
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Kingsley, a Nigerian from Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State, 49, was travelling with a Guinean international passport.
The Director, Media and Advocacy of the Agency Femi Babafemi, in a release on Sunday said preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect frequently travels to India on business class tickets claiming to be dealing in clothing business between Nigeria and India.
Babafemi added it was further established that the suspect obtained the Guinean international passport in Guinea Bissau, where he said his mother came from.
In the same vein, a 24-year-old passenger travelling to Oman, Etounu Monday, was intercepted at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Monday, February 27, during the outward clearance of Ethiopian Airline flight ET 950 while attempting to export 1.924kg of skunk concealed in cream tube, the NDLEA spokesperson also disclosed.
Giving a breakdown of other interception, Babafemi said, ” At the Tincan seaport, Lagos, NDLEA operatives on Friday, March 3, recovered 244 parcels of Canadian Loud weighing 79 kilograms concealed in medium size wooden sound system speakers packed inside two out of four used vehicles in a container marked CRSU9258348 coming from Toronto via Montreal, Canada.
“The imported vehicles used as cover for the drugs are a 2009 Jeep Wrangler and a 2009 Honda Ridgeline.
“Similarly, NDLEA officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) attached to courier firms in Lagos intercepted a consignment of nine parcels of methamphetamine concealed in native black soap, Dudu Osun, heading to Europe.
The statement further read: “No fewer than 778,190 pills of pharmaceutical opioids including tramadol and a drum of 270kg Methylene Chloride were recovered by operatives from a suspect, Eric Pepe Yohanna, 33, in Jalingo, Taraba state on Monday 27th Feb following credible intelligence. Also seized from him is a Daylong tricycle used in distributing the illicit substances.
“In Adamawa state, the house of a wanted notorious drug dealer, Mamudu Njobdi at Sebore, Gyalla road Dougada ward, Mubi was raided in the early hours of Monday 27th February where he was arrested and drug exhibits recovered.
“The 31-year-old suspect was earlier arrested on Wednesday 22nd Feb at his drug joint in Kolere water board but mobilized thugs to attack NDLEA officers and in the process escaped with exhibits.
“While a suspect, Geoffrey Okpani, 31, was arrested at Bukuru area of Jos, Plateau state with 27.45kg of cannabis, Ajayi Tope, 30, was arrested on Saturday 4th March at Area 5 Ile-Ife, in Ife south local government area of Osun state with 18kg of same substance.
“In Lagos, NDLEA operatives on Friday 3rd March raided De-Niche Hotel & Suites, Omole estate, Ojodu Ikeja where 24 suspects were arrested and different quantities of illicit drugs recovered from them”.
The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) commended the officers, men and women of MMIA, NAIA, Tincan, Taraba, Adamawa, Plateau, Osun and Lagos Commands as well as DOGI for the arrests and seizures.
He charged them and their counterparts across the country to intensify the on-going mop up operations to deny political thugs access to illicit substances ahead of the Governorship and House of Assembly elections this Saturday.
