The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted fresh consignments of cocaine as well as heroin weighing 16.85 kilograms, and also worth more than N4.9 billion in street value.
A statement issued in Abuja by NDLEA’s Director, Media, and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi, stated that NDLEA operatives intercepted the consignments at the Apapa Seaport; as well as at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
He also added that four persons were being investigated for the 13.65kg cocaine seized on board a ship, MV Karteria that came into the Apapa Port from Santos, Brazil, on Sunday, November 7, 2021
Babafemi said the latest incident comes barely three weeks after 32.9kg of cocaine was intercepted at the port on another vessel, MV Chayanee Naree, also from Santos, Brazil.
According to him, in well-coordinated follow-up operations; five persons have been arrested in different parts of Lagos and Delta; in connection with the shipment.
“A consignment of 3.2kg heroin was found on a passenger, Christian Osondu at the E-Arrival Hall of the (MMIA) on Friday, November 5; during the inward clearance of Air Peace flight from South Africa.
“A swift follow-up operation on the same day led to the arrest of one Ude Onyeka at Mafoluku area of Oshodi in Lagos. Onyeka confessed that his elder brother, Ikenna Ude, who is based in South Africa; had instructed him to collect the bag containing the drug.
“He confessed also that he was to hand over to another person; who was supposed to come from Delta,’’ he said.
Babafemi said that a second follow-up operation led to the arrest of Innocent Abanjo who came to Lagos from Delta to pick the bag around “Cele’’ Bus Stop, Okota, on Saturday, November 6, 2021
“Abanjo also confessed that he was contracted by one Oseki Chinedu, who is based in South Africa; to travel to Lagos to collect the bag and to take it to Agbor junction in Delta.
“The third follow-up operation led to the arrest of Ihator Isioma at Agbor Junction on Sunday, November 7, 2021’’ Babafemi explained.
