The Nation Newspaper

Tag: NDLEA

  • NDLEA foils ‘dollar smuggling’ at Lagos airport

    An attempt by a passenger to smuggle 23 wraps containing $34,000 has been foiled by officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

    The suspect, Ozoh Ikenna, was arrested at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, on his way to Brazil, on Friday.

    The dollars were detected during screening of passengers on Etihad Airways flight to Abu Dhabi.

    The money was packed in wraps similar to narcotics and concealed in his boxer shorts.

    The NDLEA airport commander, Ahmadu Garba, said the arrest was facilitated with the aid of a scanning machine.

    “The wraps of dollars found on Ozoh Ikenna were detected with the aid of a scanning machine. We also conducted a follow-up operation where one Ogbo Emmanuel who gave Ozoh the $34,000 dollars was arrested,” the commander stated.

    Investigations conducted by the Assets and Financial Investigation directorate headed by Mrs. Victoria Egbase revealed that the suspects are involved in the laundering of substantial amount of illicit drug proceeds.

    Egbase said, “We were able to trace over N226, 000,000 to one bank account belonging to the second suspect, Ogbo Emmanuel. The account name is Eternal God International Limited.”

     

  • NDLEA arrests South Africa-based grocer with drugs

    NDLEA arrests South Africa-based grocer with drugs

    Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos have arrested a Nigerian grocer based in Pretoria, South Africa with 3.920kg of substances found to be methamphetamine.

    The drug was concealed in  two bags he wanted to check in at the departure hall. The arrest took place during the outward screening of passengers on Ethiopian airline flight to South Africa.

    NDLEA commander at the Lagos airport, Mr. Ahmadu Garba, gave the name of the suspect as Ayoola Ayodeji Adebayo.

    “A Nigerian living in South Africa by name Ayoola Ayodeji Adebayo was found in possession of 3.920kg of methamphetamine on his way to South Africa. The drug was found in a false bottom of his luggage while he was trying to check in the luggage. The case is being investigated” Ahmadu stated.

    The suspect, who holds a Higher National Diploma in Estate Management, said he made a mistake getting involved in drug trafficking.

    “I am a grocer in Pretoria. I have lived in South Africa for over three years. I am married with two children.

    “My friend in Pretoria asked me to bring two bags to him. He bought my return ticket and gave me one hundred and fifty thousand naira. I thought the drug would not be detected because it was neatly concealed. This is a big mistake on my part because I have sustained my family with the grocery business. It will not happen again, if I can get out of this problem” Ayoola stated.

    Chairman/Chief Executive of the agency, Ahmadu Giade, said the agency had taken additional measures to detect hidden drugs at all exit and entry points in the country.

    “The agency has taken additional measures to detect hidden drugs at our exit and entry points in the country.

    “This is in preparation for anticipated increase in drug trafficking at the airports, land borders and seaports towards the end of the year.

    “The arrest of Ayoola whose drug was neatly concealed is an indication that more drugs shall be detected,” Giade stated.

    The suspect will soon be arraigned in court.

  • Court sanctions NDLEA for stalling Kashamu’s suit

    Court sanctions NDLEA for stalling Kashamu’s suit

    Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday sanctioned the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for delaying hearing in a suit brought by Senator Buruji Kashamu.

    The Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District is seeking to restrain the Federal Government from seizing his assets.

    NDLEA, a respondent in the action, had asked the judge to disqualify himself from adjudicating the suit.

    The agency also prayed the court to discharge an order restraining it from arresting Kashamu.

    The suit was adjourned for hearing on Wednesday, but NDLEA’s lawyer, Mr. J.N. Sunday, sought an adjournment to enable him regularise his processes.

    He said there were “blunders” in the agency’s application before the court that needed to be corrected.

    Kashamu’s lawyer, Ifeoma Esom, who stood in for Ajibola Oluyede, said they were ready to go on with the case as the suit was ripe for hearing.

    Sunday, however, said the agency did not intend to delay the case by seeking an adjournment.

    “The applicant has already tied our hands with the order. We have no reason to delay this matter,” he said.

    Justice Buba awarded N20,000 cost against NDLEA, and adjourned to enable it rectify the “blunders in their processes.”

    The judge awarded the cost in favour of Kashamu without being prompted, as Esom did not ask for compensation for inconveniences occasioned by the adjournment.

    Justice Buba also pointed out that NDLEA appeared to be asking for two contradictory reliefs.

     

  • NDLEA declares two officers wanted

    •Salary stopped

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has ordered the stoppage of the salary of two officers said to have absconded since last month.

    The officers, Superintendent of Narcotics (SN) Daniel Goska and Chief Narcotic Agent (CNA) Ndubuisi Ughor, have been declared wanted following their disappearance after a drug suspect was nabbed with 74.4kg of narcotics at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA), Enugu.

    The Chairman/Chief Executive of the agency, Ahmadu Giade, said NDLEA believed in the rule of law and would treat anybody indicted equally.

    He said: “The agency has taken steps by stopping the salaries of the officers and declaring them wanted.

    “Winning the war against illicit drugs demands that while dislodging drug cartels, we must ensure that members of staff comply with best practice at all times. Efforts are on to charge the officers in line with the rules of engagement. The agency is moving forward and will continue to purge itself of undesirable persons, who are deficient in discipline and integrity.”

    Giade added that no act of indiscipline and misconduct would go unpunished, stressing that the agency had progressed in drug control and respect for the rule of law and would resist attempts to reverse the wheel of success.

    Preliminary investigation indicted the officers for conspiracy, aiding and abetting.

    They absconded, following the arrest of a suspected drug trafficker, Dayson-Eddie Ifeanyi Chukwu and three others held for unlawful exportation of 74.4kg of narcotic drug.

    The officers were last seen on August 7.

    According to the NDLEA rules, absence from duty for 21 days was punishable by dismissal.

    Reiterating its commitment to a drug-free country, the agency urged the public to supply information on their whereabouts to its nearest office.

     

  • Kashamu seeks to restrain FG from seizing property

    Kashamu seeks to restrain FG from seizing property

    Senator Buruji Kashamu has asked the Federal High Court in Lagos to restrain the Federal Government from seizing his property worth N20billion over drug trafficking allegations.

    In a fresh application, he sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Attorney-General of the Federation from taking possession of his property.

    The application is before Justice Ibrahim Buba, who had restrained the NDLEA from arresting or extraditing Kashamu to the United States, where he is allegedly wanted.

    But the NDLEA has asked the judge to disqualify himself from adjudicating the suit.

    The agency said since Justice Buba, on June 23, reaffirmed a May 27 order by Justice Okon Abang of the same court stopping Kashamu’s arrest, he may not be fair to all parties in the present case.

    The NDLEA lawyer, Mr. J. N. Sunday, claimed the injunction amounted to tying the hands of federal agencies from discharging their constitutional duties.

    The agency asked the judge to withdraw from the case on the basis that he may not reach a different conclusion in the fresh case having ruled in Kashamu’s favour previously.

    “This court had earlier heard and determined suit No. FHC/L/CS/763/2015. The facts or issues and the parties in the suit are not only the same but are intricately linked and intertwined with this suit.

    “Having earlier made findings of facts, it will be difficult, if not impossible for this court to divorce itself from its findings in suit No. FHC/L/CS/763/2015, while considering and writing judgment in this present suit,” Sunday claimed.

    According to NDLEA, the case file should be returned to the Chief Judge, Justice Ibrahim Auta, for re-assignment to another judge.

    Meanwhile, the AGF, represented by Mr. Oyin Koleosho has filed a preliminary objection to the action.

    It said the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit, which it described as a “tortuous act” that does not fall within Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution.

    According to the AGF, the judge had no jurisdiction to entertain matters bordering on landed property.

     

  • NDLEA dislodges money laundering syndicate

    … Six arrested for swallowing $156, 000

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dislodged a suspected money laundering syndicate that specializes in swallowing dollars.

    Six suspected members of the group including a Bureau de change operator have been apprehended for swallowing $156,000.

    This is the second suspected money laundering case involving a Bureau de change operator in two months.

    Reacting to the arrest, the Chief Executive of NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, promised to track down smuggled narcotics and currency.

    He warned that operators of Bureau de change who fail to work within the confines of the law establishing them shall be severely sanctioned.

    “The agency will continue to rely on manpower training and intelligence-led drug control strategies to outwit criminal syndicates. We shall take reasonable measures to dislodge drug cartels and eradicate narcotics from our society. Any Bureau de change operator that violates the law shall be punished accordingly,” he stated.

  • Woman arrested for drug trafficking, blames husband

    Woman arrested for drug trafficking, blames husband

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) is investigating the alleged involvement of a thirty-eight year old mother of three children in an attempt to export 2.04kg of cannabis to South Africa.
    The dried weed that tested positive for cannabis was concealed in cartons of knorr seasoning cubes.
    The suspect, Rashidat Abdulkarim during interrogation accused her husband who lives in South Africa of implicating her.

    NDLEA Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos area commander, Mr. Hamza Umar said that the drug was seized at the cargo section of Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO).
    “The seizure was made during routine screening of goods at the cargo section. During a careful search, 2.04kg of cannabis was found to be concealed in a carton of knorr seasoning.
    ” Other items in the luggage are local textiles and herbal medicines. The consignor was immediately arrested following the discovery of the cannabis, ” Hamza stated.
    Rashidat who sells female shoes and hand bags said that she is still in deep shock that cannabis was found in the consignment sent to her by the husband.
    “I am in shock and pain that my husband is behind my problem. My husband sent twenty-eight thousand naira to buy locally made textiles. He also told me that one man will bring food seasoning and herbal medicines to me. I bought the textiles and added it to the seasoning bought by the man.
    ” On getting to the airport, drug was found inside the carton of seasoning. I am so sad and disappointed” Rashidat stated.
    She also expressed worry over her children, saying , “I struggle to fend for myself and my three children.”
    ” Even before my husband travelled to South Africa, he left me with the upkeep of the family. I have suffered so much financial neglect. I have never smuggled drugs all my life. He had done the worst. My eldest child is only thirteen years”.
    Chairman of NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade promised to carry out detailed investigation. “The case is being investigated and all those involved in the crime will not go unpunished”.

  • NDLEA intercepts cocaine in tins

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 7.576kg of white cocaine and 3.885kg of crack cocaine smuggled from Brazil.

    The total weight of the drug is 11.461kg with an estimated street value of N57 million.

    The agency also arrested five suspected traffickers in connection with the seized drugs. Unlike white cocaine, crack cocaine is not common in the country.

    NDLEA airport commander Hamza Umar said various methods are adopted to conceal drugs.

    Umar said: “One of the suspects Izuchukwu Simon Omeluonye was caught with both white and crack cocaine in tins weighing 7.785kg. The crack cocaine weighed 3.885kg while the white weighed 3.900kg. Kyrian Nonso Akubueze, 28, had 1.110kg by the side of his luggage while Onodyer Obidike, 40, ingested 11 wraps of cocaine weighing 0.485 grammes.

    “Maduabuchukwu Friday Onyeabor was found with 74 wraps weighing 1.256kg and Emma Ifoh was caught with 34 wraps weighing 0.710 grammes.”

    The commander said Omeluonye, who hid the drugs in tins, said he wanted to invest the N1 million promised him in business.

    “I suffered untold pain while in Brazil. I agreed to smuggle drugs because I wanted to settle down and further my studies. I have a diploma in Mechanical Engineering. I feel very bad,” Omeluonye said.

    Akubueze said he was given the bag containing cocaine by a friend.

    “I left Nigeria to Brazil in search of job opportunities. My condition of living in Brazil was worse than when I was in Nigeria. It was my friend that gave me the bag containing drugs,” he told investigators.

    Obidike said he was paid N200,000 because he could only ingest eleven wraps of drugs.

    “Drug trafficking,” he said, “was my last option to free myself from the harsh condition of living in Brazil. Unfortunately, I could only swallow 11 wraps so I was paid N200,000.”

    Onyeabor said his partner who was to collect the drug from me while in transit in Dubai failed to show up.

    Ifoh, a barber regretted travelling to Brazil.

    “It was the condition I found myself that made me to smuggle drugs. I was better doing business in Nigeria. I would not have smuggled drugs if I had not travelled to Brazil,” he lamented.

     

  • Arik crew arrest: NDLEA impounds two more vehicles, invites brother of main suspect

    Arik crew arrest: NDLEA impounds two more vehicles, invites brother of main suspect

    •Gets CCTV footage of main accomplice

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has obtained closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage of how Arik Air staff, Ikechukwu Chibuzor Oliver who works as a catering loader smuggled three bags of cocaine among food supplies for flight W3101.

    The Agency also invited the younger brother of the main suspect, Chika Egwu Udensi for questioning.

    Udensi, 32, was invited in connection with alleged complicity in the ongoing investigation of 20kg of cocaine seized by the United Kingdom Border Force at Heathrow Airport.

    The vehicles seized from Udensi include a Land Rover, an Equinox Chevrolet and a Dodge Hemi Magnum.

    Narcotic investigators are still working on evidences so far gathered on the case. The management of Arik Air is giving necessary assistance to the Agency.

    Meanwhile the Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade who expressed satisfaction with the success of investigation, directed investigators to further widen their search for more collaborators.

    “I am impressed with the success recorded in the ongoing investigation. The swift arrest of the main accomplice reflects our determination to speedily bring to justice all parties to the crime. Let me reassure Nigerians and the international community that those behind this crime have no hiding place” Giade stated.

    Further investigation has shown that Mr. Chika the main suspect lives ostentatious lifestyle far beyond his salary. He is also believed to be involved in laundering illicit proceeds of drugs under the cover of automobile importation.

    The operational tasking order issued by NDLEA Chairman to its operatives to look inwards into the activities of the Agency and other airport workers is an immediate measure to avert acts of compromise calculated to undermine airport security.

  • Arik crew arrest: NDLEA gets CCTV footage, impounds two more vehicles

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has obtained closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage of how Arik Air staff, Ikechukwu Chibuzor Oliver smuggled three bags of cocaine along with food supplies for flight W3101.
    The Agency has also invited the younger brother of main suspect, Chika Egwu Udensi for questioning.
    Mr. Uwachi Amos Udensi, 32 years old was invited in connection with alleged complicity in the ongoing investigation of 20kg of cocaine seized by the United Kingdom Border Force at Heathrow Airport.
    The vehicles seized from Chika Egwu Udensi include a Land Rover, an Equinox Chevrolet and a Dodge Hemi Magnum.
    Narcotic investigators are still working on evidences so far gathered on the case. NDLEA said in a statement that the management of Arik Air is giving necessary assistance for the investigation.
    The Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade who expressed satisfaction with the success of investigation, directed investigators to further widen their search for more collaborators.
    “I am impressed with the success recorded in the ongoing investigation. The swift arrest of the main accomplice reflects our determination to speedily bring to justice all parties to the crime. Let me reassure Nigerians and the international community that those behind this crime has no hiding place” Giade stated.
    Further investigation has shown that Mr. Chika, the main suspect lives ostentatious lifestyle far beyond his salary. He is also believed to be involved in laundering illicit proceeds of drugs under the cover of automobile importation.
    The operational tasking order issued by NDLEA Chairman to its operatives to look inwards into the activities of the Agency and other airport workers is an immediate measure to avert acts of compromise calculated to undermine airport security.