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Tag: NDLEA

  • ‘PREGNANT’ MOTHER OF THREE ARRESTED WITH N20M COCAINE

    ‘PREGNANT’ MOTHER OF THREE ARRESTED WITH N20M COCAINE

    Dorothy Onyekasi had all the features of a pregnant woman when she stepped into the arrival hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, yesterday, on her way from Dubai, United Arabs Emirate (UAE).

    Her dressing, protruding tummy and manner of walking were true to type.

    But that was until she had to go through screening by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) whose agents found her pregnancy to be fake.

    Instead of pregnancy, Onyekas, 41, had strapped to her body substance suspected to be cocaine.

    The mother of three, according to the agency’s spokesman, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, faked her pregnancy with 86 pellets of substance that tested positive for cocaine.

    He said: “The drug was intercepted during the inward screening of passengers on an Emirates flight from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

    “The substance has a total weight of 1.720 kilogrammes with an estimated street value of N20.6 million.”

    The NDLEA commander at the Lagos airport, Ahmadu Garba, said the wraps of cocaine would have been easily mistaken for pregnancy.

    “It was discovered that the suspect kept 86 wraps of cocaine inside a waist bag which was tied to her stomach.

    “The drug was detected by NDLEA officers on her arrival from Dubai. The drug was immediately packed and weighed in her presence.

    “It had a gross weight of 1.720 kilogrammes,” Ahmadu stated.

    She is expected to be charged to court soon.

    The suspect said it was all her fault, saying: “While I was preparing to return, I met a man in Dubai who gave me the drug and promised to give me enough money to expand my business.

    “He also told me that when I get to Nigeria, he would call his partner to collect the drug and give me my money. When I got here, the drug was detected at the airport and I was arrested. It is all my fault. If only I was contented with the profit from the sales of my goods; I would not have been in this problem”.

    Dorothy who hails from Enugu State is a Junior Secondary School certificate holder.

  • NDLEA arrests woman feigning pregnancy with wraps of cocaine

    NDLEA arrests woman feigning pregnancy with wraps of cocaine

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Saturday arrested a woman at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, who faked pregnancy with wraps of substances suspected to be cocaine.

    This is contained in a statement issued and signed by the agency’s spokesperson, Mr Mitchell Ofoyeju.

    The statement alleged that the 41 year old mother of three, Dorothy Onyekas, faked her pregnancy with 86 pellets of white powdery substance that tested positive for cocaine.

    “The drug was intercepted during the inward screening of passengers on an Emirates flight from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

    “The substance has a total weight of 1.720 kilogrammes with an estimated street value of N20.6 million,’’ the statement said.

    The statement quoted the NDLEA commander at the Lagos airport, Ahmadu Garba, as saying that the wraps of cocaine would have been easily mistaken for pregnancy.

    “It was discovered that the suspect kept 86 wraps of cocaine inside a waist bag which was tied to her stomach.

    `Unfortunately, the drug was detected by NDLEA officers on her arrival from Dubai. The drug was immediately packed and weighed in her presence.

    “It had a gross weight of 1.720 kilogrammes,’’ Ahmadu stated.

    The statement also quoted the chairman of the agency, Mr Muhammad Abdallah, as describing the recent drug seizures at this airport a welcome development that was capable of forcing drug cartels to a retreat.

    “In the past few days, the NDLEA has recorded numerous arrests and drug seizures at the Lagos airport.

    “The drug cartels have also suffered huge losses from these operations. This particular suspect feigned pregnancy with wraps of cocaine but she was caught by vigilant narcotic agents.

    “Some of the suspects recently apprehended concealed drugs in their socks and luggage while others ingested wraps of cocaine in disregard of the danger to their health.

    “In spite of their craftiness, we are daily stopping them from perpetrating their criminal act and forcing them to a retreat.

    “She will be charged to court soon,’’ Abdallah said.

  • NDLEA recovers 193 wraps of cocaine in passengers’ socks

    NDLEA recovers 193 wraps of cocaine in passengers’ socks

    Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos have discovered one hundred and ninety-three (193) wraps of cocaine inside passenger sucks.

    The drug, which tested positive for cocaine with a total weight of 3.4kgs was detected during routine screening of passengers on an Emirates flight from Dubai. The suspect who is a commercial bus driver in Lagos has also been arrested.

    Chairman/Chief Executive of the Agency, Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (rtd,) has called for stringent monitoring of Dubai-Lagos route by officers.

    According to Abdallah, “This is an interesting arrest and I commend the officers for the discovery. Dubai-Lagos route is gradually gaining notoriety and we are monitoring it closely. Let me assure members of the public that the NDLEA is working very hard in preventing illicit drug production, trafficking and abuse in the country.”

    NDLEA commander at the airport, Ahmadu Garba gave the name of the suspect as Maduewesi Ugochukwu Samuel. “During screening of passengers at the arrival hall, officers noticed that he had some items attached to his legs.

    NDLEA co“It was cleverly done, but not good enough to escape our notice. When his socks was pulled down, suspected wraps of narcotics found to be cocaine fell down on the floor. He was immediately arrested and taken for further investigation,” Ahmadu stated.

    The suspect who is a commercial bus driver told narcotic investigators that he wanted to quit driving for supply of electrical appliances.

    “I am a commercial bus driver in Lagos. I am from Anambra State. My friend who lives outside the country introduced me into drug trafficking.

    “He promised to help me with capital to start my business, but after sponsoring my trip to Dubai, he told me to smuggle drugs to Nigeria.

    “I was instructed to conceal the drugs in my socks and that it will not be detected. They also offered to pay me the sum of N800,000 for safe delivery of the drug. I had wanted to start a supply business in electrical appliances but I am regretting my action because my wife is all alone while I am in NDLEA custody.

    “This is her first pregnancy and she needs my attention. This is my greatest concern,” Samuel stated.

    He completed his secondary education in 1998 at Onitsha before coming to Lagos in search of greener pastures.

    The suspect will be charged to court soon.

     

  • NDLEA arrests 24 drug traffickers in Bayelsa

    NDLEA arrests 24 drug traffickers in Bayelsa

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Bayelsa State Command, yesterday, said it has arrested 24 suspected drug traffickers in the state.

    According to the agency, 20 of the suspects are males while four are females.

    The NDLEA spokesman, Mr. Ikenna Osakwe, in a statement on Friday, said that the suspects were arrested in March, within the Yenagoa metropolis and on the East-West Road area of Bayelsa.

    Osakwe, a Superintendent of Narcotics and Principal Staff Officer, Public Affairs, said during the period, 8.706kg of illicit drugs were seized.

    He said: “It is worthy of note that of the above quantities, Cannabis Sativa and psychotropic substances accounted for a substantial part of the recovered illicit drugs.

    “It is becoming worrisome that adolescents and youths are adopting novel means of substance abuse in our communities which has led to the rise in illegal sale and consumption of psychotropic substances in the state.”

    He called on parents and guardians to increase their vigilance and monitor their children and wards closely at home and in the school.

    He said: “This is to ensure timely intervention where substance abuse is noticed. They are also encouraged to avail themselves of information on latest trends in substance abuse to ensure possible identification where and when it occurs.

    “Irrespective of the fact that criminality is not the exclusive reserve of any gender, it is becoming increasingly regrettable that women who should be home and by extension, nation builders, are becoming more involved in illicit drug dealing. This raises even more concern when the women in question are mothers or expectant mothers.”

    He further called on the state Ministry of Women Affairs and other female rights advocacy groups and organisations to partner with the command to enlighten and sensitize women on the dangers of illicit drugs.

    He appealed to the general public to desist from accepting parcels, consignments or luggage from friends and relatives for onward conveyance without consciously and painstakingly evaluating their contents.

    He said investigation revealed that individuals unknowingly become drug couriers for friends and relatives.

  • NDLEA nab two for drug trafficking

    NDLEA nab two for drug trafficking

    Two suspects identifed as Chinweuba Echezona, 54, and Louis Ekwueme have been arrested by officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for allegedly trafficking N39 million worth of cocaine to the country.

    The suspects who came in from Dubai were held at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos with 252 wraps of the substance weighing 4.35kgs.

    According to NDLEA, the suspects who were promised N500,000 each to traffick the drugs into Nigeria ingested some wraps and stuffed others in their luggage but were fished out during screening.

    The agency’s spokesperson, Ofoyeju Mitchell stated that while one of the suspects was a driver, the other was a trader “Both suspects ingested some wraps of drugs and concealed others on their bodies. The estimated value of the drug is thirty-nine million naira (N39, 000,000),” he said.

    Quoting the agency’s Commander at the airport, Ahmed Garba, Ofoyeju said both suspects were under investigation for unlawful importation of cocaine from Dubai.

    He said: “Chinweuba Martins Echezona, 54, packed 103 wraps of cocaine on his waist and ingested 69 wraps weighing 2.745kgs, while Ekwueme Louis, 44, concealed 75 wraps in his luggage and ingested 5 (five) wraps.

    “Preliminary investigation by the agency revealed that the suspects were promised half a million naira each to smuggle the drugs from Dubai to Nigeria.

    “Their trip was fully sponsored by an unidentified drug trafficking organisation. However, efforts are ongoing to trace and arrest their sponsors. Martins (Echezona) is married with five children while Louis is married with three children.”

    Confessing to the crime, Echezona told narcotic investigators that frustration pushed him to it.

    “I am a driver but for some time now I have been out of job. I have been searching for job and my condition is so bad that I could not feed and discharge my responsibilities as a father to my wife and five children.

    “This was the reason I went into drug trafficking because they promise to pay me half a million naira. I did it in order to survive the economic hardship,” he claimed.

    For Ekwueme, poverty was to blame for his involvement in drug trafficking.

    “I used to sell jewelleries but I have lost everything including my shop due to family problem. I feel ashamed that I cannot take care of my family and pay the school fees of my children. My involvement in drug smuggling was due to financial poverty.”

    While directing that their case be investigated speedily, Chairman, NDLEA, Col. Muhammad Abdallah (rtd) warned drug traffickers to desist as they will meet a brick wall at all exit points.

    “Let me assure members of the public that the NDLEA has taken measures to fortify the exit points in the country. Drug traffickers will find it difficult to break through our security barriers.

    “The ultimate objective is to have a society that is free from illicit drug production, trafficking and abuse. This arrest is being investigated and we hope to trace other persons linked to the crime. The suspects will soon be charged to court,” he said.

  • NDLEA arrests 24 drug traffickers in Bayelsa

    NDLEA arrests 24 drug traffickers in Bayelsa

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Bayelsa State Command, Friday said it arrested 24 suspected drug traffickers in the state.

    The agency said out of the number, 20 suspects were males while four were females.

    The NDLEA spokesman, Mr. Ikenna Osakwe, in a statement on Friday said that the suspects were arrested in March, within the Yenagoa metropolis and on the East-West Road area of Bayelsa.

    Osakwe, a Superintendent of Narcotics and Principal Staff Officer, Public Affairs, said during the period, 8.706kg of illicit drugs were seized.

    He said: “It is worthy of note that of the above quantities, Cannabis Sativa and psychotropic substances accounted for a substantial part of the recovered illicit drugs.

    “It is becoming worrisome that adolescents and youths are adopting novel means of substance abuse in our communities which has led to the rise in illegal sale and consumption of psychotropic substances in the state.”

    He called on parents and guardians to increase their vigilance and monitor their children and wards closely at home and in the school.

    He said: “This is to ensure timely intervention where substance abuse is noticed. They are also encouraged to avail themselves of information on latest trends in substance abuse to ensure possible identification where and when it occurs.

    “Irrespective of the fact that criminality is not the exclusive reserve of any sex, it is becoming increasingly regrettable that women who should be home and by extension, nation builders, are becoming more involved in illicit drug dealing. This raises even more concern when the women in question are mothers or expectant mothers.”

    He further called on the State Ministry of Women Affairs and other female rights advocacy groups and organisations to partner with the command to enlighten and sensitize female folks on the dangers of illicit drugs.

    He appealed to the general public to desist from accepting parcels, consignments or luggage from friends and relatives for onward conveyance without consciously and painstakingly evaluating their contents.

    He said investigation revealed that individuals unknowingly become drug couriers for friends and relatives.

    But he said that ignorance of the law was not an excuse and such actions could not only be perceived as carelessness, but even criminal negligence.

    “All well-meaning residents of Bayelsa State are also encouraged to maintain vigilance in their communities and report illegal drug activities to the Command for prompt action,” he said.

  • NDLEA parades seven suspected drug peddlers in Abia

    NDLEA parades seven suspected drug peddlers in Abia

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Abia State Command has paraded seven male suspects, allegedly arrested for being in possession of banned/prohibited substances.

    The suspects, Uzochukwu Nnanna,35, Kingsley Ugwubueze 31,  Agbaeze Kalu,40,  Saidu Iliyasu, 29, Solution Kingsley, 22, Ikechukwu Nwankpa, 31, and Ugochukwu Nwachukwu, 22 were said to have been arrested in the month of March by NDLEA operatives.

    The State Commander of the agency, Bamidele Akingbade told newsmen that the suspects were apprehended at various venues in the state with illicit substances (psycho-tropical substances) weighing a total of about 14.23 kilograms.

    He said that some of the substances include Cocaine, Heroin and Indian hemp at the time of their arrests.

    The NDLEA boss said that the suspects would be arraigned in court after they must have concluded investigation into the matter.

    One of the suspects, Saidu Iliayasu, 29, a security man at a private hostel in Uturu, was said to have been arrested during a raid in Uturu after the incident at a private hostel in Uturu where two students of Abia State University, ABSU were reported to have been beheaded.

    Iliayasu was said to have been in possession of Indian hemp of over N3000 he was yet to sell to prospective buyers.

    According to Uzochukwu Nnanna, police officers caught him with Indian hemp and later handed him over to the NDLEA.

    Nnanna who pleaded for forgiveness stated that he was pushed to go into the trade because of hardship.

    Kingsley, admitted being in possession of cocaine (“White”), stating that he was pushed into the business after he lost his father at the end of his secondary education and had to seek help to further his education.

    He noted that it was in the process of seeking help that he met a man called Nwa-Charlie who introduced him into the Cocaine business as a way to help him raise money to go further.

    Another suspect, Kingsley Ugwubueze, a native of Ohaji-Egbema in Imo State said he was living in Ibadan by Orlu Street, Aba where he was caught for possessing Indian hemp last month.

    Forty year-old Agbaeze Kalu, a wheel barrow pusher said he went to buy hemp for personal consumption when he was caught by the Vigilante in Aba and handed over to NDLEA.

    He said that smoking weed helps to give him strength to continue working when he becomes weak after doing heavy jobs.

    “I now know that it is dangerous to my health and when I leave here I will not return to it,” he said.

    Ikechukwu Nwankpa, 31, from Eziama Nvosi who lives at the Omuma road said he was arrested with hemp.

    He said he was shoemaker until he had a problem and had no money to continue with the trade and then his friend urged him to sell hemp to help him.

    He said that if he sold his shoes in a day, he makes about N5000 gain but chose to be selling hemp which he could sale for N1, 500 for the time with gain of about N500.

    Ugochukwu Nwachukwu who hails from  Ugiri Mbano in Imo State said his father died in December 2015 and he had no one to help him which led him into the business of selling Indian hemp until he was caught.

    They all pleaded to be pardoned saying that if they are released, they would not return to hard drug trade and consumption again.

     

  • NDLEA parades seven suspected drug peddlers

    NDLEA parades seven suspected drug peddlers

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Abia State Command have paraded seven male suspects, allegedly arrested for being in possession of banned/prohibited substances.

     

    The suspects, Uzochukwu Nnanna,35, Kingsley Ugwubueze 31,  Agbaeze Kalu,40,  Saidu Iliyasu, 29, Solution Kingsley, 22, Ikechukwu Nwankpa, 31, and Ugochukwu Nwachukwu, 22 were said to have been arrested in the month of March by NDLEA operatives.

    The State Commander of the agency, Bamidele Akingbade told newsmen that the suspects were apprehended at various venues in the state with illicit substances (psycho-tropical substances) weighing a total of about 14.23 kilograms.

    He said that some of the substances include Cocaine, Heroin and Indian hemp at the time of their arrests.

    The NDLEA boss said that the suspects would be arraigned in court after they must have concluded investigation into the matter.

    One of the suspects, Saidu Iliayasu, 29, a security man at a private hostel in Uturu, was said to have been arrested during a raid in Uturu after the incident at a private hostel in Uturu where two students of Abia State University, ABSU were reported to have been beheaded.

    Iliayasu was said to have been in possession of Indian hemp of over N3000 he was yet to sell to prospective buyers.

    According to Uzochukwu Nnanna, police officers caught him with Indian hemp and later handed him over to the NDLEA.

    Nnanna who pleaded for forgiveness stating that he was pushed to go into the trade because of hardship.
    Kingsley, admitted being in possession of cocaine (“White”), stating that he was pushed into the business after he lost his father at the end of his secondary education and had to seek help to further his education.

    He noted that it was in the process of seeking help that he met a man called Nwa-Charlie who introduced him into the Cocaine business as a way to help him raise money to go further.

    Another suspect, Kingsley Ugwubueze, a native of Ohaji-Egbema in Imo State said he was living in Ibadan by Orlu Street, Aba where he was caught for possessing Indian hemp last month.

    Forty year-old Agbaeze Kalu, a wheel barrow pusher said he went to buy hemp for personal consumption when he was caught by the Vigilante in Aba and handed over to NDLEA.

    He said that smoking weed helps to give him strength to continue working when he becomes weak after doing heavy jobs.

    “I now know that it is dangerous to my health and when I leave here I will not return to it”, he said.

    Ikechukwu Nwankpa, 31, from Eziama Nvosi who lives at the Omuma road said he was arrested with hemp.

    He said he was shoemaker until he had a problem and had no money to continue with the trade and then his friend urged him to sell hemp to help him.

    He said that if he sold his shoes in a day, he makes about N5000 gain but chose to be selling hemp which he could sale for N1, 500 for the time with gain of about N500.

    Ugochukwu Nwachukwu, Ugiri Mbano, Imo State said his father died in December 2015 and he had no one to help him which led him into the business of selling Indian hemp until he was caught.

    They all pleaded to be pardoned saying that if they are released, they would not return to hard drug trade and consumption again.

  • NDLEA discovers heroin-laden letter

    NDLEA discovers heroin-laden letter

    National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) operatives have discovered a heroin-laden letter in Lagos.

    The letter, sent from Bengaluru in India on Express Mail Service (EMS) was addressed to Mr Yunusa Amusan, 33, in Mushin, Lagos.

    About 48 grammes of powdery substance that tested positive for heroin was found inside the letter.

    The thin heroin parcels were hidden in the letter to makes detection difficult.

    NDLEA Chairman Col Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah said the parcels’ discovery followed 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 and water,” Abdallah said.

    Investigation, he said, showed that the suspect allegedly connived with his uncle who lives in India to import heroin disguised as letters to Nigeria.

    Their criminal plan did not materialise because of NDLEA’s superior intelligence gathering, Abdallah said.

    Director of Operations and General Investigation Mr Mabo Olugbenga explained that the suspect was apprehended following surveillance on his alleged illicit drug activities.

    He said: “The illicit smuggling of narcotic drugs under the guise of letters was reported and closely monitored by the agency. It was confirmed that Mr 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 on-going.”

    Amusan, a technician was quoted to have said he has been running errands for his India-based uncle, adding: “He used to send money and letters to me to give to his wives and friends. Sometimes he will ask me to buy foodstuff and sent to him in India and in return, he gives me money to take care of myself. I am single and a native of Ogun State. After my Junior Secondary School Certificate, I could not further my education due to lack of sponsor.

    “I later learnt how to repair television sets but could not rent a shop to start my own business. The letter my uncle sent to me was opened in my presence and other officers and it was found to contain heroin.”

  • 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.