A major breakthrough was achieved as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency apprehended two siblings in Abia for possession of cocaine and methamphetamine valued at over N4.1bn.
The arrested individuals, Kelechi Nwaobasi and Chinwe Nwaobasi, were taken into custody during a specialized investigation carried out between June 13 and 14, 2023.
In a press release on Sunday by NDLEA’s Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, it was revealed that the siblings had been under surveillance for several months leading up to their arrest.
The masterminds of the cartel, Kelechi Monday Nwaobasi, 49, and his elder sister, Chinwe Rose Nwaobasi, 50, were apprehended, resulting in the seizure of 20.76 kilograms of cocaine and methamphetamine.
According to the statement, “The NDLEA’s Special Operation Unit effectively dismantled a drug ring operated by Kelechi and Chinwe Nwaobasi, following their arrest and the recovery of cocaine and methamphetamine worth over N4.1bn from their hideout in Aba, Abia State.
“The successful operation carried out on Thursday and Friday, June 13 and 14, 2024, at 3B, Boundary Avenue, Aba, and a property along Ohia Road, Ohia, Abia State, was the culmination of extensive intelligence-gathering efforts leading to the capture of the ringleaders and the seizure of 20.76 kilograms of illicit substances.”
Babafemi also reported the arrest of four suspects involved in the trafficking of opioids in Lagos.
The operatives recovered more than 82,000 bottles of opioids valued at over N600m from the apprehended individuals.
Babafemi stated, “In a related incident, a substantial warehouse filled with a large quantity of codeine-based syrup was uncovered by NDLEA operatives in Lagos State. This warehouse, located in the Comfort Oboh area of Kirikiri, was the site where four individuals linked to the trafficking of opioids were arrested during a meticulously planned raid on the facility.
“Those taken into custody include: Kingsley Amanambu Obumneke, 38; Emeka Emmanuel, 48; Bonaventure Ugochukwu, 59; and Martin Dike, 56. The operation conducted on Monday, June 10, 2024, resulted in the seizure of over 82,000 bottles of opioids worth more than N600m in street value, along with a Toyota Tacuma truck and two buses used for distribution.”
Additionally, Babafemi mentioned the arrest of suspects connected to opioids in Lagos and Kano states.
“Two days later, on Wednesday, June 12, operatives intercepted Ibrahim Abdulhamid with 29,100 pills of tramadol and various other opioids, as well as 3.9 liters of codeine syrup at Alaba Suru, Ojo Local Council Development Area in Lagos.
Furthermore, a total of 230,600 tramadol pills in 225mg and 200mg variants were seized from Yasir Rabi’u, 23, and Abubakar Ado, 30, who were identified as major distributors of illicit drugs in Kano and Jigawa states. Their apprehension on Monday, June 10, in the Gadar Tamburawa area of Kano also led to the recovery of illicit substances. Similarly, another suspect, Hassan Abdullahi Ali, 25, was found in possession of 150 bottles of codeine syrup in the Kofar Nassarawa area of Kano on Tuesday, June 11,” the statement disclosed.
In Ogun State, Babafemi revealed that NDLEA operatives seized 390kg of cannabis and arrested Muhammad Sani, Nura Mohammad, and Samaila Rabe during an early morning operation in the Ibese area on Monday, June 10.
He added that on Wednesday, June 12, a scrunchies-manufacturing facility was discovered in the Sabo region of Sagamu town, leading to the arrest of seven suspects.
The statement noted, “Those detained include: Kareem Jamiu; Oriyimi Ayo; Bamidele Wasiu; Rasheed Olarewanju; Ramota Lawal; Amudalat Olarewanju; and Adeniyi Omotosho. Recovered exhibits comprised 387 liters of scrunchies, 70 liters of industrial codeine, 25kg of cannabis, as well as quantities of tramadol, rophynol, and diazepam, alongside various production equipment for the new psychoactive substance production.”
Babafemi mentioned the arrest of two individuals in the Federal Capital Territory with 3,550 bottles of “Akuskura,” a new blend of psychotropic substances.
He divulged, “In Abuja, two suspects: Muhammad Abba, 33, and Samson Ehizogie, 42, were apprehended with 3,550 bottles of “Akuskura,” a novel psychotropic blend, during a sweep on Friday, June 14, at Garki Area 10 and Dutse Suokale, within the FCT.”