The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has busted cocaine syndicates operating in Kano State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, said in a statement that in Kano State, a syndicate dealing in cocaine and heroin was successfully dismantled with the arrest of 42-year-old Onyeka Uba at Sabon Gari area of Kano, where 1.805 kilograms and seven grams of the illicit substances were recovered from him on Monday 18th March.
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Another suspect, Ubale Sani, 49, was also arrested with 51.5kg cannabis at Chiromawa area of Kano.
Also, operatives of a special operation unit of NDLEA disrupted the criminal activities of another cocaine syndicate in Abuja at the weekend with the arrest of three leaders of the group.
The NDLEA said while Nnajiofor Celestine Kenechukwu, 41, and Okoro Chigozie Christian, 35, were arrested on Friday 22nd March at Paint House Hotel, Umar Garba Benna Street, 21 Road, First Avenue, Gwarimpa Abuja with 718 grams of cocaine, a follow-up operation at the residence of Okoro Chigozie at House 30, 69B Road 6th Avenue Gwarimpa, led to the recovery of 19 blocks of Arizona, a strain of cannabis weighing 9.823kg and monetary exhibits: N545,500 and $250, as well as property documents.
Two vehicles: Toyota Camry 2007 marked BWR 94 BM and Toyota Camry 2012 marked RBC 154 BS were also recovered from them.
Another follow up operation to the residence of Nnajiofor Celestine Kenechukwu at 49 Mercy Orjiakorstreet, Becky Estate 11, Karu, Nasarawa State on Saturday 23rd March also led to the recovery of various quantities of Arizona and methamphetamine while his girlfriend and accomplice, Ifemenam Oge was arrested.
Meanwhile, the NDLEA also launched massive raids across Lagos, Edo and Ondo states leading to the seizure of over 44,948.1 kilograms (44.9 tonnes) of illicit drugs and arrests of eight suspects as well as the seizure of 11 vehicles owned by the drug cartels.
Babafemi said a total of 7, 687.8kg of cannabis was destroyed in a warehouse in Ala forest, Akure, Ondo State, while another 670kg was evacuated, on Saturday 23rd March 2024.
Also, not less than 14,310.8625kg of same psychoactive substance was razed on 5.7 hectares of farms in Ohosu/Ugbogui forest, Ovia South West LGA, Edo State on Tuesday 19th March, where five suspects including 67-year-old Sunday Otulugbu; Agbayeogor Joshua, 39; Kelvin Ofuasia, 45; Williams Peter, 37; and Kamaru Onimisi, 44, were arrested.
NDLEA operatives in another operation in Uzebba/Avbiosi forest on Thursday 21st March, destroyed over 6,500kg cannabis on 2.6 hectares of farms where three suspects: Kabiru Idris, 36; Alaba Jimoh, 40; and Lekan Asobere, 35, were arrested.
In the same vein, 5,000kg of the same substance was razed in a warehouse in Okpuje forest, Owan West LGA, by NDLEA operatives with support from the military on Friday 22nd March.
In Lagos, a well-coordinated operation on Wednesday 20th March led to the seizure of 10,534 kilograms (10.534 tonnes) of Ghanaian Loud, a strain of cannabis in the Ajah area of the state where 11 vehicles were seized from the drug cartel. The recovered vehicles include:
Iveco truck marked KRD 522 YE; Toyota sienna marked AAA 338 GL; Toyota sienna marked AAA 308 EP; Toyota sienna marked FKJ 381 JC; Nissan bus marked EKY 846 YG; Mercedes bus marked EPE 743 XT; an unmarked Iveco J5 bus; Toyota sienna marked LSD 744 GP; Toyota highlander SUV marked KTU 280 FN; Toyota sienna marked AAA 333 GH and Toyota sienna marked FKJ 208 HV.