NDLEA Intercepts UK-bound N560m Meth, Arrests Baron, Seals Lekki Mansion.
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have successfully intercepted a significant shipment of methamphetamine at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos. The illegal drug, weighing 30.10 kilograms and valued at N567 million, was cleverly concealed in powdered custard containers within a consolidated cargo bound for London, United Kingdom. The interception and seizure took place at the SAHCO export shed of the airport on Tuesday, May 16.
Femi Babafemi, the spokesperson for the NDLEA, reported that subsequent operations were swiftly conducted, leading to the arrest of a freight agent named Nwobodo Chidiebere, a female suspect named Chioma Lucy Akuta, and ultimately the mastermind behind the drug shipment, Charles Chinedu Ezeh. Ezeh was apprehended at Sotel Suites, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos, on Thursday, May 18.
Investigations revealed that Ezeh, who claimed to be a businessman dealing in articles in Onitsha, Anambra State, had actually been living in London with his wife and children until December 10, 2022. He fled to Nigeria following his involvement in a drug-related offense in the UK. Although Ezeh stated that he had been residing in hotels since his return to Nigeria, NDLEA operatives were able to locate his mansion at No. 1 Hawawu Abikan Street, Lekki, on Friday, May 19. A search of the premises led to the recovery of his travel and property documents, among other items.
In a separate operation, NDLEA operatives in Adamawa arrested a notorious drug dealer named Prince Ikechukwu Uzoma on Monday, May 15, in the Mubi area of the state. Uzoma, aged 32, was found in possession of one kilogram of skunk. It was discovered that he had previously been arrested and convicted for the same offense in both 2017 and 2019, serving prison sentences of six months and two years, respectively.
Furthermore, on Wednesday, May 17, a trans-border trafficker named Faisal Mohammed, aged 27, was arrested in Mubi following the interception of a truck from Onitsha, Anambra State. Hidden underneath the body of the trailer were three blue rubber Jerry cans containing a total of 2,376 sachets of tramadol, comprising 23,760 pills. Mohammed admitted that the opioids were intended to be transported to Cameroon.
The NDLEA continues to make significant strides in combating drug trafficking and apprehending individuals involved in illegal drug activities across the country.
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