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Tag: National Drug Law Enforcement Agency

  • NDLEA hunts producers of Crystal Meth in Imo

    NDLEA hunts producers of Crystal Meth in Imo

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Imo State Command, has launched a new crackdown on the production of illicit drugs, specifically targeting crystal meth, a highly addictive substance commonly known as Mkpurumiri.

    Commandant Ibrahim Ohida, who heads the state’s anti-narcotics operations, revealed that the agency is ramping up efforts to track and dismantle clandestine drug labs hidden in various communities across the state.

    He emphasised that this renewed strategy is a proactive measure to combat the alarming trend of synthetic drug abuse.

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    “One of our top priorities now is to locate and shut down the illegal labs where these banned substances are manufactured,” Ohida stated, stressing that the fight against drugs must start at the source.

    He appealed to residents and local communities in Imo to become active participants in the campaign by sharing credible intelligence that could lead to the identification of these clandestine labs.

    He assured that all information provided would be handled with the utmost confidentiality to protect informants.

    The NDLEA boss further emphasised that meaningful progress in the war against drugs hinges on cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the public.

    “Community vigilance and timely reporting can significantly curb the production and distribution of methamphetamines and other illicit substances,” he said.

    This development comes amid growing concerns over the rising abuse of crystal meth, which has devastated lives and communities, particularly among young people in parts of the Southeast region.

  • Businessmen, Canada-based nurse arrested at Lagos airport for cocaine, loud trafficking

    Businessmen, Canada-based nurse arrested at Lagos airport for cocaine, loud trafficking

    • NDLEA intercepts over N7b opioids at Apapa, Onne seaports

    Two businessmen, Ihejirika Okechukwu Emmanuel and Iwuagwu Ikedi Victory as well as a Canada-based nurse Usman Grace Khadijat Olami, have been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos for attempting to import and export cocaine pellets and parcels of Loud through the airport.

     Also, at the Apapa and Onne seaports, drugs worth over N7billion were seizzed by the agency.

    Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, made this known in a statement in Abuja.

    According to the statement, Ihejirika, who frequents Thailand from where he claims to be importing fish into Nigeria, was arrested on October 15 while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Thailand via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

    Babafemi said when he was scanned, the result showed he ingested cocaine.

    “As a result, he was placed under excretion observation during which he expelled five big egg size wraps of cocaine weighing 400 grammes. Later, the 51-year-old suspect confessed that he was to be paid upon successful delivery of the drug consignment in Thailand.  He said he needed the money to boost his fish importation business,” Babafemi said.

    Read Also: Ex-convict held for importing N4.6b cocaine

    Similarly, Babafemi said, the agency’s operatives at the Lagos airport last Thursday intercepted a 26-year-old businessman Iwuagwu Ikedi Victory, who came from Brazil via Addis Ababa during the inward clearance of passengers on Ethiopian Airlines flight.

    The suspect’s body scan revealed the ingestion of illicit drugs. He excreted a pellet of cocaine weighing 22 grammes, the statement added.

    “He, however, confessed that he ingested 30 wraps of the illicit drug in Brazil but excreted 29 pellets in Addis Ababa, where he handed them over to another person,” it said.

  • NDLEA arrests 818, seize 452.4kg of Cannabis in Katsina

    The Katsina State Branch of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, on Wednesday declared the arrest of 818 drug pushers as well seized 452.41kg of Cannabis Sativa, 26,099 bottles of Cough Syrups with codeine and 10,746 tablets of psychotropic substance during the year 2018

    The State Commander of the NDLEA, Hajia Maryam Gambo Sani who made the disclosure at the Official Commissioning of the Agency’s Rehabilitation and Counseling Center donated by the Katsina State Government, also disclosed that 104 out of the number arrested were convicted to various jail terms while 714 drug users were counseled

    She further maintained that in the first quarter of this year, her agency has so far made seizures of 66.12kg of CS, 15.7kg of psychotropic substances, 38 bottles cough syrup with codine and arrested 182 suspects while counseling 131 others

    The Commander further promised that her agency will put the new rehabilitation center to good use and ensure its maximum use.

    Read Also: NDLEA arraigns suspected drug syndicate

    She said ’’In our tradition of discipline, diligence and prudence, this structure like others will be put to good use. We shall make maximum use of it for effective drug demand reduction as the center has the capacity to train clients in skills acquisition such as soap making, Knitting,Tailoring,Computer Training and handset Repairs’’

    ‘’Today is memorable to us as we close the three months of rehabilitation, counseling of  thirty female clients which was shouldered by her Excellency and the Ministry of Women Affairs’’

    She also assured that the program carried out at the center will be more enhanced with a robust a deliberate after care approach and also pointed out the need for those rehabilitated to  be engaged in further skills acquisition as three months training is insufficient for certain categories of trades

    Also speaking while commissioning the Center valued at N41m, the State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari who was represented by his Deputy, Alhaji Manir Yakubu, commended the NDLEA for their efforts to free the state from illicit drug consumption and abuse

    He recalled that since the inception of his administration in 2015,the state government have not relented in championing reduction in the activities of illicit drug peddling and consumption in the state, which he described as worrisome and an ugly development

    He said ’’the Counseling and Rehabilitation of 30 female clients by NDLEA in conjunction with the Ministry of women Affairs is a further demonstration of the significance of the center and the need for it to be kept functional’’

     

  • Malian jailed two years for Tramadol trafficking

    The Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday sentenced a Malian, Alasan Diamoutene, to two years imprisonment for dealing in Tramadol illegally.

    Justice Nicholas Oweibo convicted him after he pleaded guilty to the charge.

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said he unlawful dealt in 630 tablets of Tramadol and 230 tablets of diazpharm, a psychotropic substance.

    Prosecuting counsel Aliyu Abubakar said the convict was arrested on February 7 at the Seme border.

    Read Also: NDLEA nabs 35 suspected drug peddlers

    The prosecution said he contravened Section 11 (c) of the NDLEA Act of 2004.

    The judge also sentenced Rasaki Jimoh to two years imprisonment for dealing in one kilogram of Cannabis Sativa, popularly called marijuana.

    NDLEA arrested him on January 24 in Badagry where he was hawking it.

  • NDLEA nabs suspect with 77 wraps of cocaine

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Tuesday, said it had arrested a suspected drug trafficker, who tried to smuggle 77 wraps of cocaine, weighing one kilogramme out of the country.

    Head of Public Affairs of the agency, Mr Jonah Achema, stated this in a statement in Abuja.

    Achema said that the 50-year-old suspect had ingested the wraps of cocaine but was nabbed at Kano International Airport during the outward screening of passengers of Tarco Airline, bound for Khartoum, Sudan.

    He said that the suspect, Adam Abubakar-Muhammed, who hails from Maiduguri, Borno, “basking in the validity of his `charms’ had boasted to persons close to him that no amount of screening by NDLEA will reveal him with any substance’’.

    Read Also: NDLEA nabs 20 drug dealers in Anambra

    Achema said that Muhammed had initially tested negative when he was X-rayed, “only for him to start excreting the illicit substance when he was kept under observation based on reliable intelligence’’.

    He said that the suspect was only fluent in Kanuri language and had confessed that he accepted the offer of N800, 000 to carry the drugs to enable him revive his hyde and skin business.

    NAN

     

  • Ganduje to establish anti drug abuse agency

    Determined to rid Kano of drug abuse and trafficking, Kano state Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has announced his intention to set up a state-owned anti-drug agency that will work hand-in-hand with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to fight drug abuse in the state.
    Ganduje who stated this on Wednesday, regretted that Kano has become vulnerable to drug abuse.
    According to him, following statistics,  “Kano is vulnerable to drug abuse. As part of our efforts to combat the menace, Kano is to establish an agency that will collaborate with NDLEA to fight drug abuse.”
    Ganduje who received newly posted Commander of NDLEA, Dr. Ibrahim Abdul; Sector Commander of Federal Road Safety Commission, Corps Commander Yusuf Garba; and Brigade Commander, 3 Brigade, Nigeria Army, Brigadier-General Bamidele Alabi, who jointly paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, said his administration has continued to take adequate measures to fight drug abuse in the state.
    He, however, appreciated the efforts of the out going security heads in the state, while urging the newly posted ones to maintain the pace, adding that Kano state has remained one of the most peaceful states in the country.
    According to him, “Kano has remained one of the most peaceful states in the country since the inception of this administration, considering what is happening in neighbouring states. Peace in Kano is made possible through the grace of God and the efforts of security agencies.
    “So, I urge you to sustain the tempo. Here in Kano, there is well coordination and connection among security agencies. They connect and interact at all times, and this is why we are recording success in terms of maintenance of peace and order. Very soon, we will have our security meeting where all of you will be present and make your contributions.”
    Speaking to journalists shortly after the courtesy visit, Brigadier-General Alabi said the Army is well positioned to counter-terrorism and menace of miscreants through the newly launched Operation Python Dance in the North-West.
    He urged residents to remain law-abiding and provide security agencies with useful information that can lead to the arrest of terrosists and miscreants.

  • NDLEA begins trial of 33-year-old suspected drug baron

    The trial of 33-year-old Vincent Amago, who is accused of cultivating Indian hemp in a large farm, commenced on Wednesday at a Jos Federal High Court.

    It was reported that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), at the arraignment of the defendant, told the court that he was caught with 1,351 Kgs of Canniva Sativa, popularly known as Indian hemp.

    The NDLEA prosecuting counsel, Mr Bundi Suleiman, had told the court that operatives of the agency arrested the defendant on Nov. 29, 2017, at his residence at Kumbul village in Richa District of Bokkos Local Government of Plateau.

    According to Suleiman, the offence contravenes Section 19 of the NDLEA Act Cap N30 Law of the Federation 2004.

    The defendant had denied committing the offence and was granted bail by the court.

    At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, Suleiman told the court that he had two witnesses ready to testify in the case.

    Led in evidence by Suleiman, Mr John Joshua, prosecution witness 1, told the court that he arrested the defendant on Nov. 29, 2017.

    Joshua told the court that he and his colleague, Mr Michael Yelleng, in the company of military officers of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), on information, arrested the defendant at Kumbul village in Richa District of Bokkos.

    “On that fateful day, we went to the residence of the accused; when we knocked on the door, he opened it for us and we told him of our mission.

    Read Also: Drug barons kill informant in Edo

    “To our utmost surprise, his entire house was like a store; it was filled with substances suspected to be Indian hemp.

    “We arrested him and packed so much quantity into our vehicles, but we had to leave some behind because the vehicles were filled up with no space to carry more, ’’ Joshua claimed.

    The witness said that the quantity they packed weighed 768Kg, and when tested, it was certified to be Indian hemp.

    “We again went back to his residence and packed the remaining substances and they weighed 583Kg; we also tested the substances and found them to be Indian hemp.’’

    Yelleng, another witness, also testified and corroborated the claims by the first witness.

    The prosecution then sought for an adjournment to call more witnesses after the defence counsel, Mr A. Shaddrach, had cross-examined the two prosecution witnesses.

    Justice Dorcas Agishi thereafter adjourned the case to Dec. 21, for continuation of hearing.

  • NDLEA arraigns 2 over possession of 76kg psychotropic substance

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) yesterday, arraigned Taibat Bello (female) and Idris Alhassan at the  Federal High Court, Abuja, presided over by Justice John Tsoho for  possession of 76 kilogrammes of ephedrine.

    Both defendants pleaded not guilty to possessing the substance which is said to be psychotropic.

    The two-count amended charge read in part: “that you, Taibat Bello, female, on or about May 9, at Ekeson Motors, Utako, within the jurisdiction of this court, had in your possession 51kg of Ephedrine a psychotropic substance.

    “(You) thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 20(1) (e) and punishable under section 20 (2) (a) of the NDLEA Act.

    “That you, Bello, Idris Alhassan, and one man known as Uncle B,  now at large, on or about May 9, at Madalla within the jurisdiction of this court, conspired to conceal 25kg of Ephedrine.

    “This was by moving same from a restaurant owned by you, Bello in Madalla to a tailoring shop to prevent detection and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 14 of NDLEA Act.”

    Following the “not guilty” plea entered by the defendants, the prosecuting counsel, Mr Mike Kassa asked the court for a date to assemble witnesses and commence trial.

    Counsel to one of the defendants, Mr D.A. Ariyoosu, prayed the court to allow the defendants continue to enjoy the bail they were granted by Justice B.O. Quadri when they were arraigned before him during vacation.

    Justice Tsoho, in a short ruling granted the request of the defence and adjourned the matter until Jan. 14, 2019.

  • NDLEA arrests 103 suspected drug traffickers

    The Edo Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency says it has arrested 103 suspects for trafficking illicit drugs.

    Mr Peter Ogar, Head of Operations and Intelligence in the command, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria  in Benin on Monday.

    Ogar said the suspects, comprised of 88 males and 15 females, were arrested between July and September in various parts of the state.

    He explained that more than 4,000 kilograms of suspected Indian hemp was seized within the period while 14 farmlands of about 10 hectares cultivated with the plant, were destroyed.

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    Ogar however said that the command had rehabilitated 79 drug addicts who had reunited with their families, while two are still undergoing intensive rehabilitation.

    “It is peak period for traffickers because it is the harvest season,” he noted, adding that this has led to upsurge in arrest of suspects and seizures by the agency.

    The Assistant Commander disclosed that the NDLEA had filed 18 cases in courts within the period, while several others are pending.

  • NDLEA raids illicit drug base in Aba

    The Abia State command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) led by its commander, Bamidele Akingbade has raided a notorious base used by illegal drug peddlers and users in Aba at Orji Uzor Kalu Bridge near the popular Good Morning Market.

    Akingbade and his team also demolished shanties where the hoodlums engaged in their illicit indulgences.

    The NDLEA commander said that despite several efforts to raid the place, the hoodlums often escaped arrest, regrouped and continued their business.

    Though no arrest was made this time, the agency recovered hard drugs such as cocaine, cannabis and heroine in the process of destroying the shanties.

    The NDLEA boss appealed to members of the public to provide the command with credible information about activities of drug peddlers in their neighbourhoods, adding that the war against sale and consumption of illicit drugs in Aba and other parts of the state remains in force.

    He said, “With the demolition of the structures, drug traffickers and armed robbers will have no place to hide to commit any crime. We are equally going to establish an outpost there like we did at York Street to ensure that they didn’t come back.

    “I want to use this opportunity to thank the authorities of Nigerian Army and other sister agencies in the state for the assistance that they have been able to give us so far which resulted in the successes we have been able to record so far. We are equally appealing to the state government to help provide us with logistics to enable us function well and effectively. For us, the war against sale and consumption of illicit drugs in the state is total.”