Operatives of the National Drug law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), have arrested two women and two men wanted in connection with over 16,000 kilogrammes (16 tons) of illicit drugs intercepted in Lagos, Abuja and Netherlands.
The suspects include: 48-year-old Aro Aderinde, who was arrested in Lagos, on Sunday, October 16, by anti-narcotics officers who have been on his trail for weeks over his involvement in the export of 3,149kgs Cannabis sativa concealed in coconut fibres via container marked MSKU 1820587.
In the same vein, two women: Hauwawu Bashiru and Basirat Adebisi Yahaya linked to the attempt to export 90 kilogrammes of methamphetamine through Pastor Anietie Okon Effiong of Promise of Zion Church, Oron, Akwa Ibom State, were equally arrested in Lagos and moved to Uyo to face charges along with the clergyman. Pastor Effiong was earlier arrested on Saturday, August 6.
NDLEA’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, in a statement, yesterday, said a notorious drug dealer in the Mushin-Isolo axis of Lagos, Monday Michael, 45, was also arrested on Monday, October 17, while conveying 365.7kgs of Cannabis sativa in two Toyota Sienna space buses marked:FST 189 FD and FST 273 GF.
Another drug lord, Abdulkadir Mohammed, 47, wanted over the seizure of 5,640kgs Cannabis sativa at a warehouse in Chukuku area of Kuje, Abuja, was nabbed on Sunday, October 16, following the arrest of his wife, Saadatu Abdullahi, 35, who was found at the store when it was raided.
In Edo State, about 10 suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure of 4,870.2kgs Cannabis sativa in parts of the state. On Wednesday, October 19, operatives stormed Ohusu forest boundary, Ovia South West Local Council where they recovered a total of 3,159.7kgs and arrested three suspects: Effiong Udo; Daniel Asuquo Ebong and Asuquo Effiong.
Similarly, on Saturday, October 22, operatives intercepted a Toyota Sienna space bus conveying 49 bags of Cannabis sativa weighing 638.5kgs along Uwenusi road in Uhunmonde Local Council, while 36kgs of the same substance stored in the bush along Uromi/Ubiaja road were equally recovered.
In another operation, three suspects: John Paul, Liberty Rolland, and Aboki Stephen were arrested at Okpe in Akoko Edo with 55kgs of Cannabis sativa. About 127kgs of Cannabis sativa were seized and a suspect, Pius Okon John arrested, while 854kgs of the same substance were recovered when operatives raided Okpe forest where some Cannabis sativa farms were destroyed. Three suspects: David Obada, Blessing Okechukwu and Odoh Sunday caught with the 854kgs of Cannabis sativa were arrested.
In Ondo State, operatives stormed the Aponmu forest in Idanre Local Council where 52 bags of Cannabis sativa that weighed 676kgs and the truck being used to load the consignment were recovered on Sunday, October 16, while the trio of Christopher Amuzoga, Chikogu Samuel and Ijeoma Okenna were arrested with 690kgs of Cannabis sativa at Ipele forest on Tuesday, October 18.
In Kano, operatives arrested Isah Suleman Mohammed and Sandra Okafor at Dakata area on Friday 21st October after they were caught with 538 blocks of C/S weighing 391.2kgs; 259,000 tablets of tramadol; 100 bottles of codeine based syrup, and 150,000 tablets of pregabalin.
This followed the arrest of Abel John and Helen James with 328.7kgs of Cannabis sativa at Gonin gora area of Kaduna, while 5,000 tablets of tramadol and 25,000 tablets of Exol-5 were recovered along Abuja-Kaduna express road. In the same vein, a suspect, Yahaya Musa, was arrested on Sunday, October 16, at Tashar Yari, Kaduna, with over 30,000 tablets of tramadol, diazepam and exol-5.
In Bauchi, a suspect, Ogbonna Ikechukwu, was arrested at Gadar Maiwa, Ningi Loca Council, with 67, 960 tablets of various types of psychotropic substances, while in Akwa Ibom State, operatives raided the Marina market, Eket, where quantities of illicit substances along with N1.193 million and N849,000.00 fake currency were recovered from fleeing suspects.
MEANWHILE, Chairman and Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (Retd), has commended the officers and men of Lagos, Ondo, Edo, FCT, Bauchi, Akwa Ibom, Kano, Kaduna, and Apapa Port Commands of the anti-narcotics Agency for the arrests and seizures. He said the arrest of the fleeing drug kingpins is a warning signal to those still in the criminal drug trade that the long arm of the law will soon catch up with them.
Marwa charged officers and men across all commands to intensify the heat on the drug cartels until they were dismantled.
Source: The Guardian
