Nigeria: NDLEA Intercepts 4,752kg of Cannabis Concealed in Abuja Gas Tanker
By Zuleihat Owuiye, Mamos Nigeria
In a significant drug bust, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have seized 511 jumbo sacks of cannabis sativa weighing 4,752kg. The illicit substance was concealed in the gas tank compartment of a truck along the Abuja-Abaji highway. The agency, in a statement released by its spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, revealed that the interception was made during a stop-and-search
The 40-ft gas tanker, marked RBC 77XG, was thoroughly searched by the NDLEA operatives, leading to the discovery of the hidden sacks of cannabis. As a result of the seizure, four suspects have been arrested in connection with the illegal drug trafficking.
The statement issued by Babafemi stated, “The consignment was loaded into the tanker in Ondo State and meant to be delivered in Abuja for further distribution. Four suspects: Efe Abel Mikel, 39; Ebigide Cyril, 29; Ejechi Monday, 41; and Friday Benson Chukwudi, 39, have been arrested in connection with the seizure.”
Furthermore, the NDLEA announced that this operation also led to the dismantling of an international drug syndicate that had networks in Nigeria, South Africa, and Thailand. Over a two-week period, five members of the cartel were arrested in Lagos, Abia, and Anambra states. The arrests were made following the interception of their illicit drug consignments at the NAHCO import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
The drug cartel’s activities were unraveled when a cargo of four large suitcases arrived at the NAHCO shed on an Airpeace airline flight from Johannesburg, South Africa. The first suspect, Umeh Chisom Peter, was apprehended while attempting to collect two suitcases containing Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis owned by a Thailand-based member of the syndicate, Obum Michael. The suitcases were found to contain a total of 17.6 kilograms of Loud and drug candies.
The investigation led to the arrest of other members of the syndicate, including Mrs. Chinwendu Uche Ugbe, whose husband, Aloysius Uche Ugbe, sent some of the drug consignments. Two other suspects, Onyejiakor Francis Chimezie and Nnaji Valentine Chukwukere, with links to the cartel, were also apprehended in Lagos. The operation extended to Abia State, where Mrs. Chinazo Osigwe was arrested while attempting to collect drug parcels sent by her husband, Osigwe Chidiebere Anthony.
In addition to these arrests, three more individuals were apprehended in separate operations. Aminu Umar and Anas Umar were found with 207.1 kilograms of cannabis sativa in their house in Kaduna State, while Bashir Umar was nabbed in Kano with 194 bottles of codeine syrup.
The NDLEA’s successful operations against drug trafficking syndicates demonstrate the agency’s commitment to combating drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria. The agency continues to work tirelessly to disrupt the activities of drug cartels and bring those responsible to justice.
