By IBIRONKE ARIYO

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a notorious drug trafficker previously convicted of dealing in 30.10kg methamphetamine in 2023 following the seizure of 75 parcels of cocaine weighing 1.50 kilograms.

This is contained in a statement by the NDLEA Director, Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi on Sunday in Abuja.

Babafemi said that the drugs, concealed in factory sealed sachets of cold-water starch, heading to the United Kingdom, was intercepted at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja Lagos.

He said that three cargo agents involved in the attempt to export the consignments to the UK were swiftly arrested on Saturday, Dec. 20 before further investigations unraveled the mastermind.

“He was arrested in a follow up operation on Sunday, Dec. 21 at a popular relaxation centre in Ikeja where he went on a date with his girlfriend.

“The agency’s criminal database revealed that the mastermind had been arrested in May 2023 in connection with the seizure of 30.10kg methamphetamine.

“It was concealed in powdered custard containers as part of a consolidated cargo going to London, United Kingdom at the export shed of the Lagos airport.

“He was subsequently arraigned at a Federal High Court in charge number: FHC/L/337C/2023, convicted and sentenced to five years imprisonment with an option of a fine of N7million.

“This is along with one-month community service, with effect from Dec. 4 2023. He paid the fine and soon after returned to the same crime,” he said.

In another successful operation, Babafemi said the NDLEA operatives on Monday, Dec. 22, set ablaze tons of skunk, a strain of cannabis, and wooden warehouses in Ara forest, Ara-Ekiti.

He said in this operation, 638 kilograms of same psychoactive substance were also recovered.

He added that no fewer than 1,205 blocks of compressed cannabis sativa, weighing 883.1kg were recovered from three Toyota Camry vehicles intercepted by NDLEA operatives on patrol along Igara-Auchi road, Edo state on Monday, Dec. 22.

Babafemi said that in Cross River state, a raid operation conducted on Sunday Dec. 21 at Agoi-Ibami community, Yakurr LGA, led to the arrest of three suspects and seizure of various quantities of skunk.

In another operation, he said a 42-year-old lady, Joy Oisamaye was arrested with 38kg skunk by NDLEA operatives on patrol along Abaji-Abuja expressway on Monday, Dec. 22.

According to him, Oisamaye was on her way from Otua in Owan East LGA, Edo state.

The NDLEA spokesperson said NDLEA operatives in Lagos also arrested a female suspect with 45.5kg skunk on Christmas day, Thursday, Dec. 25 at Agbara, along Badagry expressway.

Babafemi said that another suspect was nabbed with 18.5kg of same substance at Itoga, Badagry, on Wednesday, Dec. 24.

He said that in Takum area of Taraba state, two other suspects were nabbed with 48kg of same substance on Tuesday, Dec. 23 and Wednesday, Dec. 24 respectively.

“In Gombe state, a 65-year-old driver was arrested while conveying 300 ampoules of pentazocine injection, 27,900 pills of tramadol, and other opioids, along Gombe-Biu highway, heading to Biu in Borno state,” he said.

He also said that a 47-year-old businessman wanted in connection with the seizure of 56 parcels of Loud and a strain of cannabis, weighing 26kg at the Tincan seaport in Lagos, had been arrested by NDLEA.

Babafemi said that the illicit drug consignment was seized on Dec. 10 during a joint examination of a container by NDLEA, Customs and other security agencies.

“A follow up operation by NDLEA operatives on Dec. 19 led to the arrest of one Ignatius in Apapa,” he said.

Babafemi said NDLEA had continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities in schools, worship centres, work places, and communities among others in the past week across all commands and formations.

These includes WADA enlightenment lecture to students and staff of Destiny Child Academy, Nkpor, Anambra state. (NAN)

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