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Tag: Heroin

  • Thailand returnee arrested with N3.1billion heroin at Lagos airport 

    Thailand returnee arrested with N3.1billion heroin at Lagos airport 

    • ….NDLEA intercepts N22.7billion worth of opioids at Lekki, Apapa, Onne seaports

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), says it has arrested a Thailand returnee, Oguejiofor Nnaemeka Simonpeter for importing 13.30 kilograms of heroin worth over N3.192billion at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja Lagos.

    Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, said it was in a fresh wave of interdiction operations targeting transnational drug cartels.

    Babafemi added the operatives at three seaports intercepted large consignments of opioids with a combined monetary value of N22,740,958,000.

    According to the statement, Oguejiofor was arrested on Monday 7th October 2024 while attempting to smuggle out of the airport the illicit drug concealed in six backpacks and then packed into two big suitcases.

    Babafemi said the 29-year-old graduate of Mechanical Engineering from the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli, Anambra state, had left Thailand on 3rd October on Qatar Airways flight and stopped over in Doha where he spent two days before heading to Lagos while his luggage was routed to Accra, Ghana, his original destination.

    The Spokesman said after arriving Lagos on the 5th October, the suspect contacted the airline to reroute his luggage to Nigeria so that he can pick them up as rush bags in a bit to beat security checks. 

    The statement indicated that, however, NDLEA officers intercepted him at the point of exit. 

    Babafemi said a search of his two suitcases revealed three empty backpacks in each box with a large parcel of heroin neatly sewn to all the six backpacks.

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    The six parcels were subsequently recovered with a gross weight of 13.30kg, Babafemi said.

    In his statement, Oguejiofor claimed he was hired for a fee of $7,000 upon successful delivery of the parcels. He said he was to deliver two parcels in Lagos and the other four parcels in Accra, Ghana, the Spokesman said.

    The statement read: “Meanwhile, a total of Thirty Two Million Six Hundred and Seven Thousand Nine Hundred (32,607,900) pills of tramadol worth over Twelve Billion Five Hundred and Seventy Seven Million Naira (N12,577,000,000) and One Million Four Hundred and Fifty One Thousand Nine Hundred and Ninety Four (1,451,994) bottles of codeine-based syrup with a street value of Ten Billion One Hundred and Sixty Three Million Nine Hundred and Fifty Eight Thousand Naira (N10,163,958,000) have been intercepted at the Lekki Deep Seaport, Apapa seaport in Lagos and Port Harcourt Port Complex, Onne, Rivers state.

    “The combined monetary value of the seized opioids comes to Twenty-Two Billion Seven Hundred and Forty Million Nine Hundred and Fifty-Eight Thousand Naira (N22,740,958,000).

    The illicit consignments were seized from containers watch listed by NDLEA based on intelligence and processed for 100 percent joint examination with men of the Nigeria Customs and other security agencies at the three seaports between Monday 7th and Friday 11th October 2024.

    “In the same vein, NDLEA operatives in Anambra on Saturday 12th October arrested a suspect, Okelue Chidera, 29, with 50,000 tablets of tramadol 200mg at Upper Iweka, Onitsha. Also, in Edo state, operatives raided a  cannabis transit and loading point at Aviose, Owan West LGA  where 70 bags of the psychoactive substance weighing 1,050kg were recovered, while a suspect Monday Akele, 38, was arrested on Friday 11th October in another raid at Owan Village, Ovia North East L GA where 110kg of same substance was seized.

    “With the same vigour, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.

    “These include: WADA enlightenment lecture to students and staff of Sacred Heart Girls International Secondary School, Calabar, Cross River; students and teachers of Methodist Girls High School, Utu/Ikpe, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom;  students and staff of Federal Government Girls Secondary School, Bida, Niger state; students and teachers of Ekunle High School, Iseyin, Oyo state; students and teachers of St. Theresa Secondary School, Abakaliki, Ebonyi; students and teachers of Joy Primary and Secondary School, Idogbo, Benin city, Edo state; students and staff of Model Secondary School, Maitama, Abuja; and WADA advocacy visit to the founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Aare Afe Babalola, among others.

    “While commending the officers and men of MMIA, Lekki seaport, Apapa, PHPC, Anambra, and Edo Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) stated 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.”

  • Paris-bound ‘businessman’ excretes 93 wraps of heroin at Abuja airport

    Paris-bound ‘businessman’ excretes 93 wraps of heroin at Abuja airport

    Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 40-year-old Madrid, Spain-based ‘businessman’, Sherif Egbo Ally, at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja while attempting to board an Air France flight to Paris, France, after they discovered he ingested illicit drugs.

    Egbo was arrested on October 14 after body scanner revealed he had wraps of illicit drugs in his stomach, according to a statement by the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, yesterday.

    He said the suspect was subsequently placed under observation at the agency’s exhibit recovery room where he excreted 93 pellets of heroin weighing 2.222 kilogrammes.

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    Babafemi said in his statement that the suspect claimed he worked at a chicken hatchery farm in Madrid, Spain and was also into drug trafficking business.

    According to the statement, in the same vein, NDLEA operatives at the NAHCO imports shed of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja Lagos on October 16 seized a consignment of 10 cartons containing 500,000 pills of tramadol 225mg branded as tapentadol.

    Babafemi said the cargo, which was shipped from India through Qatar Airways with airwaybill number MAWB 319-01227236 was purported to be a transit cargo to Monrovia, Liberia.

    However, he said the lid was blown open through partnership and real time intelligence sharing mechanisms between NDLEA and its Liberian counterpart.

  • Paris-bound ‘businessman’ excretes 93 wraps of heroin at Abuja airport

    Paris-bound ‘businessman’ excretes 93 wraps of heroin at Abuja airport

    Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 40-year-old Madrid, Spain-based ‘businessman’, Sherif Egbo Ally at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja while attempting to board an Air France flight to Paris, France, after they discovered he ingested illicit drugs.

    Egbo was arrested on Saturday 14th October after body scanner revealed he had wraps of illicit drugs in his stomach, according to a statement by the Agency’s Spokesman, Femi Babafemi, on Sunday.

    He said the suspect was subsequently placed under observation at the Agency’s exhibit recovery room where he excreted 93 pellets of heroin weighing 2.222 kilograms. 

    Babafemi said in his statement, the suspect claimed he works at a chicken hatchery farm in Madrid, Spain and also into drug trafficking business.

    According to the statement, in the same vein, NDLEA operatives at the NAHCO imports shed of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja Lagos on Monday 16th October seized a consignment of 10 cartons containing 500,000 pills of tramadol 225mg branded as tapentadol. 

    Babafemi said the cargo, which was shipped from India through Qatar Airways with airwaybill number MAWB 319-01227236 was purported to be a transit cargo to Monrovia, Liberia. 

    However, he said,  the lid was blown open through partnership and real time intelligence sharing mechanisms between NDLEA and its Liberian counterpart.

    He said: “Also, attempt by an intending passenger to Muscat, Oman on Qatar airways, Ngene Chinecherem Oscar to export 11.100kgs of skunk and 600grams of tramadol concealed in foodstuffs through the Lagos airport was thwarted by NDLEA officers who arrested him and seized the illicit substances.

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    “In another operation, NDLEA officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigations, DOGI, attached to courier companies on Sunday 15th October intercepted 1kg methamphetamine concealed in containers of body cream going to New Zealand as well as another consignment of 2.5kgs cocaine and phenacetin hidden in walls of a carton heading to Saudi Arabia.

    “Two more seizures: 112grams of Dimethyl Sulfone and 583grams of Cocaine and phenacetin were made at another courier company in Lagos on Wednesday 18th October. While the Dimethyl Sulfone was concealed in the hollow of a motor driving shaft going to New Zealand, the consignment of Cocaine and phenacetin was packed into a bottle of body cream heading to Saudi Arabia.

    “In Imo state, operatives on Sunday 15th October intercepted a Mercedes Benz container truck marked ABN 418 YN parked in an isolated area along Owerri – Onitsha expressway. A search of the abandoned truck led to the recovery of 168 bags of skunk weighing 1, 854 kilograms.

    “Not less than 1,381.3kgs of the same substance were seized in four interdiction operations in parts of Edo state including: Ekpon community, Igueben LGA; Iguiye forest in Ovia North East LGA; Iruekpen, Ndokwa West where a suspect, Monday Samuel Nwocha was arrested and Egwalor village in Onwude LGA where the duo of Obune Prince and Chika Obi was arrested and their Audi 80 salon car marked BEN 406 CL loaded with cannabis sativa, recovered.

    “In Kano state, an ex-convict, Aminu Suleiman, 46, was arrested along with Haruna Abdurrahaman, 41, and Ojo Joseph Esezobor, 34, at Gadar Tamburawa area of the state on Saturday 14th October while 106kgs of cannabis were recovered from them. Aminu was first arrested with 22kgs of cannabis on 3rd June 2022 and convicted by the court on 24th November 2022. Four other suspects: Inusa Fugu Ali, Yahaya Musa, Abba Audu, Ali Abubakar, and Bunu Kyari were also arrested at Gadar Tamburawa area of Kano on Monday 16th October for dealing in 75.3kgs of skunk.

    “While operatives of the Zone J Command of the Agency seized 478kgs of cannabis in a forest in Ikere Ekiti on Friday 20th October, those of Ondo state command recovered a total of 928kgs of the same substance in a bush by Shagari market, along Ifon-Owo express road, and Ibola camp, Ipele forest. In Borno state, a suspect, Sani Mohammed, 31, was arrested on Saturday 21st October with 182kgs of cannabis at Njimtilo, along Maiduguri – Damaturu road.

    “Commands across the 36 states and the FCT equally continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitisation lectures in schools, communities, work places and others. Some of these include: WADA sensitisation lecture for students of Ogborhill Secondary School, Aba, Abia state;  WADA sensitisation lecture to Students of Nana Aisha Memorial Islamiyya Secondary School, Buba-Shongo, Gombe; WADA sensitisation lecture at Awe High School, Awe,  same at Smiles and Surprises Academy, Onna, Akwa Ibom;  WADA sensitisation lecture for students of Sango High School, Ijoko, Ogun state while  the Zone C Command of NDLEA along with Kwara state command also had WADA sensitisation town hall meeting with principals of secondary schools from five local government areas of the state.

    “Commending the arrests and seizures of the past week by officers and men of the NAIA, MMIA, Imo, Ondo, Kano, Edo, Zone J Commands as well as those of DOGI, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) charged them and their compatriots across all formations of the Agency to continue to remain vigilant and double their efforts especially with the desperation of criminal networks to make money by all means towards the end of the year season.”

  • International day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking

    International day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking

    There is no argument about the fact that drug abuse and illicit trafficking of substances is a worldwide feeling of discomfort that has a far-reaching consequence because it is fraught with crime, corruption and terrorism. We can observe that Nigeria has the highest consumption of illicit drugs. Due to the invention of new technologies, the production of these drugs has increase which makes them to become very cheap and therefore affordable.

    International day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking is a day set aside to raise awareness to major problems that the unlawful use and distribution of drugs portends for the society.

    The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking serves to draw awareness to the need for action and cooperation in order to achieve a drug-free world.  Illicit drugs and their trafficking pose a large health threat to humanity. Drug problems and dependencies put a great deal of pressure on health care systems and constitute a threat to the safety and well-being of humans all around the globe.

    Long-term drug abuse has been linked to poor general health, contraction of diseases through needle sharing, trouble with the law, poor self-hygiene, alienation from loved ones, psychological illnesses and death from overdose.

    In December 1987, the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking was designated by the United Nations. It is celebrated annually on June 26, a symbolic day that commemorates the dismantling of the opium trade in Guangdong. The day also serves as an opportunity for Member Nations to reaffirm their support for UN Conventions that attempt to control the world’s drug supply.

    Drug abuse according to Wikipedia is a patterned use of a drug in which the user consumes the substance in amount or with methods which are harmful to themselves. Drug abuse can also be associated with taking overdose of a drug. Examples of abused drugs include: cocaine, heroin, marijuana, prescription drugs, including opioids.

    Illicit trafficking on the other hand is an illegal trading, selling or dealing in specified goods.

    ‘Health’ is the ongoing theme of the world drug campaign. According to the United Nations report, the value of illegal drugs traded around the world is put at more than $32billion yearly. According to this statistics, we can see that drug abuse and trafficking is a problem and major deterrent to humanity and the wellbeing of the youths in particular.

    The most surprising thing is the increasing number of secondary school and tertiary institution students taken to consuming hard drugs. Other groups of individuals susceptible to drug abuse are drivers, conductors, artists, musicians, etc.

    Considering the biological implications of drug abuse, it is pertinent that we understand not only the injurious effect of substance abuse to our organs, but also to unborn children at the fetal stage. An expectant mother who is taken to drug abuse might be causing more harm than good to her unborn child.

    Psychosocially, drug abuse destroys families progressively; once a member of a family becomes overtly addicted to drug (especially psychedelic drugs), he or she begins to act irrationally. This can prove huge danger for those around them, as there are a plethora of stories of siblings hurting each other due to drug abuse.

    The consequences of drug abuse have been violence, rape, suicide, poor academic performance, poor health condition, school dropout etc. Drug abuse is associated with vices such as cultism, armed robbery, thuggery, etc.

    Conclusively, it is expedient that government (federal and state), and all their policy wonks should begin to not only pass laws to curb the preponderance of drug abuse, but also, to enforce the extant laws on substance abuse.

    Parents are also to play key roles in the educational progress of their children through effective communication with the children and with the help of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and other paraphernalia of government like NAFDAC, NDLEA, and Human right groups. Investing more on technological devices that can enhance the ability to detect hard drug traffickers is also advisable.

     

  • Ndlea seizes 15,064kgs of cocaine, heroin at Lagos ports

    Ndlea seizes 15,064kgs of cocaine, heroin at Lagos ports

    The Chairman and Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah, said that the agency has seized over 15,064kg of cocaine and heroin at the Tin Can and Apapa ports since 2006 with an estimated value of 225 trillion naira.

    Abdallah said that drug barons are targeting the ports for their illicit drug activities, but the agency will resist their scheming. The drugs include 14,813.40kg of cocaine and 251.22kg of heroin.

    According to the NDLEA boss, “the seaports are high risk drug trafficking locations because of the movement of large volume of consignments. Official record of drug seizures at the ports underscores the volatility of the ports in drug trafficking.

    Since 2006, the agency has seized over 15,064kg of cocaine and heroin at the Lagos ports. The country cannot afford to condone this criminal trade because such huge proceeds in the hands of drugs cartels are threatening. We shall continue to screen incoming and outgoing vessels, thereby making the ports impregnable to drug trafficking organisations”.

    Abdallah added that the presence of the NDLEA at the ports is of immense economic and security benefit to the country and that the agency will maintain alertness and frustrate any action targeted at disrupting her operations at the seaports.

    The agency has the approval of the Federal Government to operate at the ports and this onerous responsibility shall be diligently and effectively discharged.

    Abdallah reiterated that the NDLEA will take reasonable measures in preventing the seaports from being used for drug trafficking.

  • Court jails man 15 years for possessing cocaine, heroin

    Court jails man 15 years for possessing cocaine, heroin

    The Federal High Court in Calabar, Cross River State, has sentenced a 41-year- old man, Emmanuel Edet Eyo, to 15 years’ imprisonment for possessing 1.9 grammes of cocaine, 15.5 grammes of heroin and 1.7 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa.

    A three-count charge by Ella Chekwube Ordiah, prosecutor for the attorney-general of the federation, said the accused was caught with the substances on June 18, 2016 at Ikang in Bakassi Local Government of Cross River State, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

    After hearing counsel to the prosecution and defendant, Justice Inyang Ekwo ordered that the accused be sentenced to five years’ imprisonment without option of fine on count one, five years on count two and five years on count three, with effect from June 18.

    He ordered that the exhibits labelled PW-D1, PW-D2 and PW-D3 be returned to the NDLEA for destruction.

  • Cocaine, heroin ‘mainly used’ in Lagos, says NDLEA

    Cocaine, heroin ‘mainly used’ in Lagos, says NDLEA

    •‘Cannabis most commonly produced, trafficked, abused drug in Nigeria’

    A COMMUNITY-based surveys have shown that heroin and cocaine are mainly used in Lagos, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Director-General Mrs Roli Bode-George said yesterday.

    She said other cosmopolitan state capitals were also reported as places where the two narcotic substances are widely used.

    At a inter- ministerial briefing on the commemoration of International Day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking, Mrs George described cannabis as the most produced, trafficked and abused drug in the country.

    She said the use of amphetamine type stimulants (ATS) is predominant in the northern part.

    Mrs George identified synergy among stakeholders as the major achievement of the current Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP).

    “The agency has recorded great success in the implementation of the Drug Control Master Plan. Most significant is the high level of synergy among stakeholders. Drug trafficking is a thriving business and a serious issue in Nigeria that requires strong, concerted control efforts. To effectively address the challenge of drug abuse in Nigeria, sensitisation, advocacy and prevention programmes remain vital,” she said.

    An emerging problem with the abuse of Zakami (Datura Metel), an indigenous plant and solvents were also found among marginalised youths and street children in some northern States.

    “Persons Who Inject Drugs (PWIDs) however constitute one of the most at risk groups for HIV infections in Nigeria. NDLEA between 2010 and 2014 covered an average of 1,000 schools annually in drug use prevention enlightenment”, she said.

    A director in the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mr. Isaac Idu, said the NSA’s office would support the fight against drug trafficking.

    Corps Commander Oladunni Olaniyan, a Corps Medical Rescue Officer with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), said the commission is involved in drug control programmes.

    “FRSC is partnering with NDLEA because when people take drugs and drive, they constitute a serious threat to lives and property,” Oladunni stated.

    A Deputy Director in the Ministry of Health, Mrs Celine Onunkwo, hailed NDLEA for reducing drug trafficking.

  • NDLEA discovers letter laden with heroin in Lagos

    NDLEA discovers letter laden with heroin in Lagos

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Monday said it had intercepted a letter laden with heroin in Lagos.

    This is contained in a statement signed in Lagos by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Mitchell Ofoyeju.
    According to the statement, the letter, which was sent from Bengalore, India, via Express Mail Service (EMS), was addressed to one Mr Yunusa Amusan, 33, in Mushin, Lagos.

    “Upon interception by the NDLEA, about 480 grammes of powdery substance that tested positive for heroin, was found inside the letter.

    “The thin parcels of heroin were carefully hidden in the letter in a manner that makes it difficult to detect.

    “This is the first case of heroin letter discovered by the anti-narcotic agency this year,’’ it said.
    The statement also quoted the Chairman of the agency, Mr Muhammad Abdallah, saying that the arrest was recorded following the diversification of the agency’s operations.

    “The operations of the agency have been diversified to cover mail services.

    “Drug control is an intelligence-led operation and the NDLEA, under my dispensation, will spread its tentacles to all possible areas of narcotic smuggling.

    “We will not relent in taking deliberate and sustained efforts towards preventing drug trafficking under any guise in the country, be it by air, land or water,’’ Abdallah stated.

    The NDLEA boss added that investigations revealed that the suspect, already in custody, allegedly connived with his uncle, who lives in India, to import heroin disguised as letters to Nigeria.

    “Their criminal plan did not materialise due to the superior intelligence gathering capacity of the agency.

    “I assure Nigerians that the agency will always work towards a drug-free society,’’ he said.
    The statement also quoted Mr Mabo Olugbenga, NDLEA Director of Operations and General Investigation, explaining that the suspect was apprehended following surveillance report on his illicit drug activities.

    “The illicit smuggling of narcotic drugs under the guise of letters was reported and closely monitored by the agency.

    “It was confirmed that Amusan was recruited by his uncle who lives in India, to take delivery of heroin concealed in letters, to avoid arrest by law enforcement agents.

    “The suspect was arrested after collecting the letter and further investigation is ongoing,’’ he added.

     

  • Man in court over alleged heroin trafficking

    Man in court over alleged heroin trafficking

    A 35-year-old man, Aniecheta Okoli, on Tuesday appeared before a Federal High Court in Lagos, charged with heroin trafficking.

    The accused is facing a one-count charge preferred against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

    The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge, and his counsel, Mrs Lilian Omotunde, requested that he be granted bail.

    Justice Saliu Saidu, the trial Judge, in response, granted the accused bail in the sum of N10 million with two sureties in like sum.

    The judge ordered that one of the sureties must be a blood relation of the accused.

    He adjourned the case till Feb. 25, 2016, for substantive trial.

    The prosecutor, Mr Fingere Dinneys had told the court that the accused committed the offence on Oct. 5

    He said that the accused was arrested at the arrival hall of Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja.

    The prosecutor said that a large wrap of heroin, weighing 45 grammes, was recovered from the accused during the screening of passengers.

    He said that Okoli was consequently arrested and handed over to the NDLEA for prosecution.

    The prosecutor said that the offence contravened Section 11 (b) of the NDLEA Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation, 2004.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the offence of drug trafficking can attract as much as life imprisonment.