The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has reported significant success in its ongoing battle against drug trafficking, with the recent arrest of three sought-after criminal leaders and the seizure of a substantial heroin shipment intended for Oman.
Strategic Arrests Following Intensive Investigation
According to NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, the arrests came after more than two months of the suspects being declared wanted. The operatives’ relentless pursuit culminated in the detention of these key figures from an organized crime network that has been involved in drug trafficking across multiple continents including Nigeria, South Africa, Mozambique, Europe, and America.
Major Heroin Seizure at Murtala Muhammed International Airport
The operation, which initially began on February 10, 2024, at the SAHCO Import Shed of the airport’s Cargo Terminal, led to the discovery of the single largest heroin haul at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos. A total of 51.90 kilograms of heroin were recovered from 15 cartons containing 2300-watt metal cutting machines. Inside these machines, NDLEA officials found no less than 45 blocks of heroin weighing 49.70 kilograms, effectively camouflaging the drugs within the cargo.
Additional Recoveries and Interim Forfeitures
Further investigations led NDLEA officers to a warehouse in the Ayobo area of Lagos, where an additional 2.2 kilograms of heroin were seized. Subsequent to these seizures, the agency obtained an interim forfeiture court order targeting assets including hotels, mansions, vehicles, and funds traced to members of the syndicate. This decisive action against the assets of drug traffickers aims to cripple the financial backbone of their operations.
Ongoing Efforts to Capture Remaining Fugitives
Despite these successes, the NDLEA’s work is far from finished. The agency has launched a manhunt for other members of the syndicate who have gone into hiding. This proactive approach underlines the NDLEA’s commitment to completely dismantling the network that has facilitated significant drug trafficking activities within and beyond Nigeria’s borders.
Additional Arrests and Prevented Export
The NDLEA’s statement also highlighted the arrest of two more kingpins on April 19; Onyinyechi Irene Igbokwuputa and Frankline Uzochukwu were apprehended in Lagos and Awka, Anambra state respectively. Another syndicate member, Osita Emmanuel Obinna, was also captured in Lagos. In a closely related incident, an attempt to export a heroin consignment to Oman was thwarted by NDLEA officers at the Lagos airport terminal 2 on April 18. The consignment, which was being smuggled by Iheakara Ifeanyichukwu Festus on an Ethiopian Airlines flight, contained 20 large parcels of cannabis weighing 9.80 kilograms concealed within his luggage.