Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a Lekki-based businessman and proprietor of Damillionz Takeout, Arokodare Damil Ebenezer in connection with the shipment of 60 parcels of Loud from the United States to Nigeria.
Ebenezer, 43, was arrested on Monday, March 24, at Bay Lounge, Admiralty Way, Lekki area of Lagos where he does his illicit drug business while he was expecting to take the delivery of his latest drug consignment.
The Director, Media & Advocacy of NDLEA, Mr. Femi Babafemi disclosed this in a statement made available to Thelensng on Sunday.
“His arrest followed the seizure of his cargo that arrived Nigeria in seven big cartons at a logistics company in Lagos on 12th March by NDLEA operatives of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation.
“After his arrest, he was taken to his Lekki home for a search during which 94grams of the same psychoactive substance, cannabis crusher and other drug paraphernalia were recovered. This brings the total weight of the drug seized from him to 32.24 kilograms. In his statement, he claimed he started the illicit drug business in 2017,” the statement noted.
Similarly, NDLEA officers prevented attempt by another businessman, Omoruyi Terry to export 1,400 pills of tramadol 225mg weighing 800 grams to Italy at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.
Babafemi mentioned that Terry was intercepted at the screening point of terminal 2 of the Lagos airport on his way to Italy via a Qatar Airways flight.
“Investigation reveals the suspect is an Italy based frequent traveler and logistics agent,” he said.
Elsewhere (Katsina), 4 suspects namely Baraka Abubakar, 40; Haruna Alitine, 23; Muhammad Babangida, 20; and Hamisu Lawal, were arrested on Friday, March 28, during an intelligence led raid operation at Godai village in Daura LGA.
No fewer than 684 blocks of compressed skunk, a strain of cannabis weighing 423kg and 86,000 pills of diazepam were recovered from them – and the three male suspects were nabbed while repackaging the diazepam tablets into other containers while Baraka, the female suspect was apprehended with the heaps of skunk in her house.
In Edo State, not less than 13,198 kilograms of cannabis sativa were destroyed in forests across parts of the state between Monday, March 24 and Friday, March 28, by the agency’s operatives who also evacuated 158kg of same substance for possible prosecution.
The forests where the cannabis plantations were discovered and destroyed include Uhen forest, Ovia North East LGA; Sobe, Owan West LGA; and Amahor forest in Igueben LGA respectively.
The spokesperson also stated that NDLEA officers on patrol along Mokwa-Jebba road in Niger State on Friday, March 28, intercepted a black Toyota Corolla car marked SLM 137 SV and arrested the two occupants/suspects (Paul Christopher, 46, and Lucky Star Anumie) in possession of 179 blocks of compressed skunk with a total weight of 77.6kg concealed in false bottom of the vehicle.
In another operation, 50kg skunk was on Saturday, March 29, recovered from the home of a suspect, Isa Iliya, who is currently at large, in Wawa village, Borgu council area of the state.
The statement added: “While 108.5kg of skunk was recovered from lockup shops at Aria New Market, in Enugu metropolis, Enugu State by NDLEA operatives on Tuesday 25th March, 25kg of same substance was seized from a suspect Abdulrazak Saka at Kilako Area of Ilorin, Kwara State on Monday 24th March. Another suspect Suli Saheed, 50, was nabbed with 2.5 kilograms of Ghanaian Loud and 515 grams of Colorado, at Olomi Academy area of Ibadan, Oyo State.”
However, the Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities in schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.
The activities include WADA sensitisation lecture to students and staff of Blessed Martins International School, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State; Model Ideal College, Enugu; Oto-Awori Senior Secondary School, Ijanikin, Lagos State; and Command Secondary School, Numan, Adamawa State, among others.
Reacting to the arrests and seizures, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa commended the officers and men of MMIA, DOGI, Edo, Kwara, Niger, Enugu, Oyo and Katsina Commands of the Agency.
Marwa said that their operational successes and those of their compatriots across the country, especially their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts are well appreciated.
He extended Eid-el-Fitr greetings to them, their families, other stakeholders and Nigerians at large.
“May the spirit of obedience and sacrifice that defines this special day guide and strengthen us as we remain steadfast in our pursuit of a drug-free society. May Allah continue to bless and guide us and may our collective efforts bring us closer to a safer and healthier society for all,” the NDLEA boss added.
