NDLEA Busts Alleged Bandits’ Drug Supplier In Major Rivers Crackdown

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted separate cocaine consignments concealed inside a traditional mortar and the false compartment of a backpack, both allegedly destined for shipment to China and Italy.

The agency also announced the arrest of a suspected drug trafficker in Rivers State and another suspect accused of transporting tramadol believed to be intended for criminal groups in Zamfara State.

The developments were disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi.

According to the agency, officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation uncovered the concealed cocaine during routine inspections at a courier and logistics company in Lagos on July 30.

The NDLEA said one consignment, weighing 250 grams, was hidden inside the base of a locally made mortar packaged in a carton and was bound for China.

A second package containing 500 grams of cocaine was allegedly concealed in a specially constructed false bottom of a backpack intended for shipment to Italy.

The agency said both consignments were intercepted during routine screening of parcels handled by courier and logistics operators.

In Rivers State, NDLEA operatives arrested a 38-year-old suspect, Ugo Gift Okonkwo, at Eagle Island in Port Harcourt following intelligence received by the agency.

According to the statement, officers recovered quantities of cannabis, cocaine, methamphetamine, Swinol, tramadol and codeine syrup from the suspect during the operation.

In Anambra State, NDLEA operatives conducting a stop-and-search exercise at the DMGS Roundabout in Onitsha intercepted a truck with registration number XK 131 BDG.

The agency said the vehicle was carrying 26,000 bottles of codeine syrup with a combined weight of about 3,960 kilograms. The driver, identified as 40-year-old Chinedu Nwanze, was taken into custody.

In another operation, officers recovered 331.84 kilograms of skunk from a Toyota Sienna with registration number KUJ 26 DV along the Kwale-Ughelli Expressway in Delta State.

Meanwhile, in Nasarawa State, NDLEA operatives arrested 64-year-old Joseph Nwaeke in the Asso Angwan Muazu area of Karu, where they allegedly recovered 68 kilograms of skunk and 29 grams of methamphetamine.

The agency also reported the arrest of 27-year-old Sani Umar during a patrol along the Zaria-Gusau Highway in Zamfara State.

According to the NDLEA, Umar was allegedly transporting 7,400 tablets of tramadol (225mg), which investigators suspect were meant for criminal elements. The agency said further investigations are ongoing to determine the intended recipients of the consignment.

Beyond enforcement operations, the NDLEA said it continued its nationwide public awareness campaign under the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative.

The sensitisation programmes were held at Hausawa Special Primary School in Kano, Royal Crown School in Oluyole, Ibadan, Government Secondary School in Ibi, Taraba State, and among commercial drivers at the Challenge Bus Terminal in Ibadan.

Commending the officers involved in the various operations, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), urged personnel across the country to sustain the agency’s twin strategy of aggressive drug enforcement and continuous public education.