The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has successfully intercepted a substantial shipment of methamphetamine concealed within powdered custard containers.
The illicit drug, weighing 30.10 kilograms and valued at N567 million, was discovered as part of a consolidated cargo destined for London, United Kingdom.
The seizure took place at the SAHCO export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos. The NDLEA promptly conducted follow-up operations, leading to the arrest of the key individuals involved.
The drug lord behind the shipment, Charles Chinedu Ezeh, was apprehended at Sotel Suites in Amuwo Odofin, Lagos.
Investigations revealed that Ezeh, who claimed to be a businessman dealing in articles in Onitsha, had fled from the United Kingdom to Nigeria due to his involvement in a drug-related offense.
His mansion in Lekki was subsequently discovered, where authorities recovered his travel documents and property records.
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In addition to the Lagos operation, the NDLEA carried out arrests in various states. A notorious drug dealer named Prince Ikechukwu Uzoma was apprehended in the Mubi area of Adamawa State with 1kg of skunk.
This was Uzoma’s third arrest for drug-related offenses, having previously been sentenced to six months and two years of imprisonment.
Another trans-border trafficker, Faisal Mohammed, was arrested in Mubi while attempting to transport 2,376 sachets of tramadol to Cameroon.
Several other arrests were made across different states, including Oyo, Kaduna, Edo, Kwara, Jigawa, Ondo, and Kano.
The suspects were found in possession of various drugs such as cannabis, methamphetamine, tramadol, and other controlled substances.
The NDLEA also raided drug joints and discovered new psychoactive substances. The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig.
Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), commended the efforts of the officers involved in these operations and urged them to continue their diligent work.