NDLEA intensifies offensive, arrests notorious baron

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) under its new leadership has continued to disrupt and unsettle drug barons’ plans to continue to use Nigeria as drugs channel as its eagle- eyed operatives continue to intercept assortments of narcotic substances even to their departure routes.

The current wave has led to the arrest of well-concealed and unaccompanied parcels of substances including cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and cannabis sativa, being shipped to various locations in Europe, including the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, Australia, Maldives and New Zealand.

The highpoint of the latest onslaught is the reported arrest of a notorious trafficker, whose name was given as Sikiru Owolabi, and who is believed to be behind at least two of the latest parcels that have been traced to their points of departure, vide thorough and systematic surveillance by the agency’s operatives.

NDLEA Director Media & Advocacy Unit, Mr. Femi Babafemi in a statement said the seizures were made by the undercover narcotic agents attached to two international courier companies in Lagos, noting that  “Sikiru Owolabi, who has made useful confessions during interrogations, was tracked after 1kilogramme of cocaine concealed in cream containers and meant for Dublin in Northern Ireland was intercepted at one of the courier firms in Lagos.”

Babafemi adds: “This was also followed by the discovery of another 200grammes of cocaine meant for London, United Kingdom in the same courier company.

“In another undercover operation, 320grammes of heroin concealed in earrings coming from Congo and going to Australia was seized at a different courier firm in Lagos, just as another 390 grammes of cocaine hidden in men’s clothing and going to Northern Ireland was intercepted in the same company.

“While 500grammes of cannabis sativa concealed in automobile parts going to New Zealand was seized at one of the courier companies, 200 grammes of methamphetamine hidden inside an award plaque and going to New Zealand, with another 200 grammes of methamphetamine concealed in a book and going to Maldives, were equally intercepted in another firm.

“Beside the arrest of Owolabi, efforts are ongoing to track and arrest other traffickers behind the other unaccompanied illicit drugs packaged as parcels for shipment to Europe.”

The media advocacy director said that the Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brig. General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retired) has expressed support for his men and officers display of professionalism in the recent wave of clamp down, and commended those involved in the sting operations.

“I ask all our men and officers involved in the various overt and covert operations across the country to continue with the ongoing offensive action until we chase the criminal elements out of their illicit and damaging trade”, Gen. Marwa admonished.