NDLEA arrests 3 wanted kingpins and seizes 51.90 kg of heroin

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested three members of an organized criminal organization specializing in illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria, South Africa, Mozambique, Europe and America.

The Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr. Femi Babafemi, said this in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja.

Babafemi said the suspected drug traffickers had been declared wanted by the agency for more than two months.

He said their arrest followed the recent seizure of the largest consignment of heroin intercepted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, (MMIA) Ikeja, Lagos.

“A total of 51.90 kilos of heroin was recovered from drug cartel members during an operation that began on February 10 at the Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) import warehouse of the airport cargo terminal.

“The shipment was concealed in 15 boxes of 2,300 watt metal cutting machines, with no fewer than 45 blocks of the illegal substance weighing 49.70 kg removed from the equipment.

“Another 2.2kg was also seized from the syndicate’s warehouse in Ayobo area of ​​Lagos,” he said.

According to Babafemi, the agency obtained a court order for interim forfeiture for hotels, mansions, vehicles and funds traced to syndicate members after arresting them.

“Subsequently, a manhunt was also launched for others who went underground.

“The effort, however, paid off on Friday, April 19, when two of the wanted kingpins: Onyinyechi Irene and Frankline Uzochukwu were arrested in Lagos and Awka, Anambra respectively.

“Another wanted member of the syndicate, Osita Obinna, was also captured in Lagos,” he said.

In the same vein, NDLEA operatives foiled an attempt by a suspect, Festus Iheakara, to export a consignment of drugs.

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Babafemi said the drugs were exported to Muscat, Oman via Terminal 2 of Lagos Airport on Thursday, April 18, via an Ethiopian flight.

“When his luggage was searched, twenty large parcels of cannabis weighing 9.80kg were discovered hidden in his bag.

“In his statement, the suspect who resides in Muscat, Oman and returned to Nigeria on April 1, confessed that he was hired to deliver the drug.

“This, he said, was accompanied by an agreement to be paid N1,200,000 upon successful delivery in Oman,” Babafemi said. (NAN)