NDLEA arrests 4 drug barons on wanted list over 16 tons of illicit drugs

The National Drug law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has disclosed the arrest of four drug barons, comprising of two ladies and two men, who have been on their wanted list over 16,000 kilograms (16 tons) of illicit drugs intercepted in Lagos, Abuja and Netherlands.

NDLEA operatives who on the trail of 48-year-old Aro Aderinde for weeks, arrested him in Lagos over his involvement in the export of 3,149kgs cannabis sativa concealed in coconut fibres via container number MSKU 1820587.

Also, two women: Hauwawu Bashiru and Basirat Adebisi Yahaya, linked to the attempt to export 90 kilograms of methamphetamine through Pastor Anietie Okon Effiong of Promise of Zion Church, Oron, Akwa Ibom State, were  arrested in Lagos and moved to Uyo to face charges along with the clergyman.

The NDLEA Director of Media, Femi Babafemi, in a statement disclosed that  Pastor Effiong was earlier arrested on Saturday 6th August.

The NDLEA also arrested a notorious drug dealer in the Mushin-Isolo, Lagos, identified as  Monday Michael, while ferrying 365.7kgs of cannabis 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 at a warehouse in Chukuku area of Kuje, Abuja, was arrested  also following the arrest of his wife, Saadatu Abdullahi, 35, who was found at the store when it was raided.

In Edo, at least 10 suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure of 4,870.2kgs cannabis in parts of the state. NDLEA operatives stormed Ohusu forest boundary, Ovia Southwest Local Government Area where they recovered a total of 3,159.7kgs and arrested three suspects: Effiong Udo; Daniel Asuquo Ebong and Asuquo Effiong.

Also, the NDLEA intercepted a Toyota Sienna space bus conveying 49 bags of C/S weighing 638.5kgs along Uwenusi road in Uhunmonde LGA, while 36kgs of the same substance stored in the bush along Uromi/Ubiaja road were also recovered.

In another operation, three suspects: John Paul, Liberty Rolland, and Aboki Stephen were arrested at Okpe in Akoko Edo with 55kgs of cannabis.

No less than 127kgs of C/S 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 farms were destroyed. Three suspects: David Obada, Blessing Okechukwu and Odoh Sunday caught with the 854kgs C/S were arrested.

In a similar vein, NDLEA operatives in Ondo state stormed the Aponmu forest in Idanre LGA where 52 bags of C/S that weighed 676kgs and the truck being used to load the consignment were recovered on Sunday 16th October, while the trio of Christopher Amuzoga, Chikogu Samuel and Ijeoma Okenna were arrested with 690kgs of cannabis at Ipele forest on Tuesday 18th October.

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 C/S 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 16th October at Tashar Yari, Kaduna, with over 30,000 tablets of tramadol, diazepam and exol-5.

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In Bauchi, a suspect, Ogbonna Ikechukwu, was arrested at Gadar Maiwa, Ningi LGA, 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 One million one hundred and ninety three thousand and sixty naira(N1,193.060) cash and Eight hundred and forty nine thousand (N849,000.00) fake currency were recovered from fleeing suspects.

While commending 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, its Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), said the arrest of the fleeing drug kingpins is a warning signal to those still in the criminal illicit drug trade that the long arm of the law will soon catch up with them. He charged officers and men across all commands to intensify the heat on the drug cartels until they are dismantled.