NDLEA seizes N4bn cocaine, arrests siblings in Abia

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested two siblings in Abia, recovering cocaine and methamphetamine consignments worth over N4.1bn.

The siblings identified as Kelechi Nwaobasi and Chinwe Nwaobasi were arrested during a special investigation conducted between June 13 and 14, 2023.

A statement on Sunday by the NDLEA’s Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said they were arrested following months of intelligence gathering.

He added that the leaders of the cartel were arrested with the combined seizure of 20.76 kilograms of cocaine and methamphetamine from them.

The statement read, “A cartel controlled by a drug baron, 49-year-old Kelechi Monday Nwaobasi and his 50-year-old elder sister, Ms Chinwe Rose Nwaobasi, had been taken down by officers of the Special Operation Unit of the NDLEA, following the arrest of the siblings and seizure of cocaine and methamphetamine consignments worth over N4.1bn in street value from their hideout in Aba, Abia State commercial city.

“The special operation conducted on Thursday and Friday, June 13 and 14, 2024, at 3B, Boundary Avenue, Aba and a residence along Ohia Road, Ohia, Abia State followed months of intelligence gathering, leading to the arrest of the ring leaders and the combined seizure of 20.76 kilograms of cocaine and methamphetamine from them.”

Babafemi also said four suspects connected with the importation and distribution of opioids were arrested in Lagos.

He added that a total of 82,000 bottles of the opioid worth more than N600m were recovered from the suspects.

Babafemi said, “In a related development, the NDLEA operatives in Lagos State have uncovered an expansive warehouse stocked with a large consignment of codeine-based syrup, located at Comfort Oboh area of Kirikiri, where four persons connected with the importation and distribution of the opioid were arrested during an intelligence-led raid on the facility.

“Those arrested include: Kingsley Amanambu Obumneke, 38; Emeka Emmanuel, 48; Bonaventure Ugochukwu, 59; and Martin Dike, 56, while a total of 82,000 bottles of the opioid worth more than N600m in street value, Toyota Tacuma truck and two buses used for distributing the substance were recovered from the premises on Monday, June 10, 2024, when the NDLEA officers conducted the operation.”

Babafemi noted that other suspects with opioids were arrested in Lagos and Kano states.

“Two days after, Wednesday, June 12, operatives intercepted another suspect, Ibrahim Abdulhamid, with 29,100 pills of tramadol and other opioids as well as 3.9 litres of codeine syrup at Alaba Suru, Ojo Local Council Development Area of the state.

“A total of 230,600 pills of tramadol 225mg and 200mg were recovered from the duo of Yasir Rabi’u, 23, and Abubakar Ado, 30, who are major distributors of illicit drugs in Kano and Jigawa states, when they were arrested on Monday, June 10, at the Gadar Tamburawa area of Kano. In the same vein, another suspect, Hassan Abdullahi Ali, 25, was nabbed with 150 bottles of codeine syrup at Kofar Nassarawa area of Kano on Tuesday 11th June, “ the statement added.

In Ogun State, Babafemi said the NDLEA operatives seized 390kg of cannabis and arrested the trio of Muhammad Sani, Nura Mohammad and Samaila Rabe during an early morning raid in the Ibese area of the state on Monday, June 10.

He added that its officers on Wednesday, June 12, busted a scrunchies-making factory in the Sabo area of Sagamu town where seven suspects were arrested.

The statement added, “They include: Kareem Jamiu; Oriyimi Ayo; Bamidele Wasiu; Rasheed Olarewanju; Ramota Lawal; Amudalat Olarewanju; and Adeniyi Omotosho. Exhibits recovered from them include 387 litres of skuchies; 70 litres of industrial codeine; 25kg of cannabis and different quantities of tramadol,  rophynol, and diazepam, as well as various equipment used in the production of the new psychoactive substance. “

Babafemi said two suspects were arrested in the Federal Capital Territory with 3,550 bottles of “Akuskura”, a new mixture of psychotropic substances.

He said, “In Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, two suspects: Muhammad Abba, 33, and Samson Ehizogie, 42, were arrested with 3,550 bottles of “Akuskura”, a new mixture of psychotropic substances, by operatives during a raid on Friday,  June 14 at Garki Area 10 and Dutse Suokale, both within the FCT.”