The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has made a significant breakthrough in its efforts to combat drug-related crimes, with the apprehension of three major syndicates operating within Lagos State. Femi Babafemi, NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, shared this commendable achievement in an official statement released on Sunday.
The operations that led to these arrests were masterfully executed by the operatives of the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of NDLEA. Babafemi's statement highlighted that these actions resulted in the dismantling of these illicit drug networks.
One of the syndicate leaders, Faith Ebele Nwankwo, was taken into custody on August 9. Her arrest followed surveillance that led to her residence at House 6, C Close, 3rd Avenue, Festac, Lagos. This came shortly after she was observed loading eight cartons of tramadol 225mg into an unmarked white Honda Pilot SUV from a warehouse at Plot 3432 Sola Akinsola Street, Divine Estate, Amuwo Odofin. The subsequent search of both locations led to the seizure of a staggering 2,750,000 pills of Tramaking, a brand of Tramadol in varying strengths, weighing 1,916 kg, along with the SUV itself.
An additional syndicate, focused on the import, export, and distribution of cocaine and Canadian Loud, was apprehended on August 4. This group was intercepted at Atlantic Nominee Estate in the Lekki-Ajah area of Lagos, where they were caught red-handed with a Toyota Highlander SUV loaded with 8.49kg of cocaine and 10.3 kg of Canadian Loud, intended for distribution. The two culprits, Urama Chinemelum Precious and Adelakun Ilelabayo Oluade, were apprehended, leading to the discovery of an extra 18 blocks of Loud, weighing 18.5kg, during a subsequent operation at the residence of Chinemelum.
The third syndicate's activities were thwarted on August 5. Udeh Vincent Ogbonna and Okonkwo Ifeanyi Uzozie were apprehended at a commercial bus terminal in Jibowu, Yaba. This duo, part of a syndicate engaged in importing, distributing, and diverting precursor chemicals used in methamphetamine production, were in the process of dispatching 25kg of ephedrine hydrochloride to the Southeast when they were apprehended.
NDLEA's tireless efforts continue to bear fruit, safeguarding communities and dismantling networks that threaten the well-being of the nation.
