Nigerian NDLEA Busts Major Drug Cartel in Nationwide Crackdown, Seizes Drugs Worth N4.1 Billion

The Officers of the Special Operation Unit of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Nigeria have dismantled a central drug cartel controlled by Kelechi Monday Nwaobasi, a 49-year-old drug baron, and his 50-year-old sister, Ms Chinwe Rose Nwaobasi.

This operation led to the seizure of cocaine and methamphetamine worth over N4.1 billion from their hideout in Aba, Abia State.

NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi reported that the operation, which took place on June 13th and 14th, 2024, followed months of intensive intelligence gathering. The raids at 3B, Boundary Avenue, Aba, and a residence along Ohia Road, Abia State, resulted in the arrest of the siblings and the seizure of 20.76 kilograms of cocaine and methamphetamine.

In Lagos State, NDLEA operatives uncovered a large warehouse stocked with codeine-based syrup in the Comfort Oboh area of Kirikiri. This intelligence-led raid led to the arrest of four individuals linked to the importation and distribution of opioids.

Those arrested included Kingsley Amanambu Obumneke, 38; Emeka Emmanuel, 48; Bonaventure Ugochukwu, 59; and Martin Dike, 56. The operatives recovered 82,000 bottles of codeine syrup, a Toyota Tacuma truck, and two buses used for distribution.

On June 12th, NDLEA operatives intercepted Ibrahim Abdulhamid in Alaba Suru, Ojo, Lagos, with 29,100 pills of tramadol and other opioids, as well as 3.9 litres of codeine syrup. This highlights the agency’s effective surveillance and interception capabilities.

In Kano State, the NDLEA arrested Yasir Rabi’u, 23, and Abubakar Ado, 30, significant distributors of illicit drugs in Kano and Jigawa states on June 10th. They seized 230,600 pills of tramadol from these suspects in the Gadar Tamburawa area of Kano. Additionally, Hassan Abdullahi Ali, 25, was caught with 150 bottles of codeine syrup in Kofar Nassarawa, Kano, on June 11th.

In Ogun State, on June 10th, NDLEA operatives seized 390 kg of cannabis and arrested Muhammad Sani, Nura Mohammad, and Samaila Rabe during an early morning raid in Ibese. On June 12th, they raided a scrunchies manufacturing factory in Sabo, Shagamu, arresting seven suspects and seizing 387 litres of scrunchies, 70 litres of industrial codeine, 25 kg of cannabis, and various other substances.

In Edo State, on June 12th, NDLEA officers destroyed 10,534.78 kg of cannabis on 4.213912 hectares of farmland in Uhen forest, Ovia North East. Four suspects, Frank Ishoku, 38; Clifford Ossai, 49; Vanger Timothy, 30; and John Peter Oluwaseyi, 30, were arrested, and 16 kg of processed cannabis was seized. Similarly, on June 14th, NDLEA operatives destroyed 18,425 kilograms of cannabis on 7.37 hectares of farmland in Ise Ekiti, Ekiti State, supported by other security personnel.

In Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, NDLEA operatives arrested Muhammad Abba, 33, and Samson Ehizogie, 42, with 3,550 bottles of “Akuskura”, a new psychotropic substance mixture, during raids in Garki Area 10 and Dutse Suokale on June 14th. These operations reflect the agency’s nationwide efforts to combat drug trafficking.

On June 12th, Emmanuel Ogechi, 24, was apprehended with 11,200 pills of tramadol along the Otukpo-Enugu road in Benue State. In Anambra State, Anayo Onwe, 40, was arrested with 62.4 kg of cannabis sativa in Nteje, and 1 kilogram of methamphetamine belonging to a fleeing suspect was seized in Oraifite.

In Kwara State, Muhammad Musa, 24, was arrested with 33 kg of cannabis at Bode-Saadu, Jebba. Meanwhile, Shokuro Adeola, 59, was caught with 11.5 kilograms of cannabis along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway in Oyo State. These arrests highlight the agency’s commitment to fighting drug trafficking across various states.

The NDLEA’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign continues to raise awareness through sensitization activities targeting schools, worship centres, workplaces, and communities. Recent lectures were held for students and teachers at Mind Builder College in Oyo, Demonstration Secondary School in Kabba, Government Secondary School in Bunkure, Command Day Secondary School in Ede, Khulafau-Rashideen Islamic School in Babanna, and Aggrey Memorial Modern School in Arochukwu.

Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, commended the officers for their dedication and operational successes. He urged them to remain vigilant and continue their efforts in drug supply reduction and demand reduction.

The NDLEA’s recent operations showcase their relentless pursuit to curb drug trafficking and abuse in Nigeria. Their comprehensive efforts and ongoing educational campaigns demonstrate a holistic approach to tackling the drug menace.

Significant seizures and arrests across multiple states reflect the agency’s robust intelligence and enforcement capabilities. The NDLEA’s commitment to drug control remains unwavering as it strives to create a drug-free society.