Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a suspected drug trafficker, Egwu Phillip Inya, a 42-year-old building engineer, while attempting to collect illicit drugs hidden in imported pressure machines.
The NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, confirmed the arrest in a statement shared on the agency’s website on Sunday.
According to the statement, Inya was apprehended on Monday, December 2, 2024, at Okeyson Motor Park in Enugu when he attempted to receive three pressure machines containing 7.4 kilograms of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis.
“The consignment arrived at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, on November 29, 2024. Acting on credible intelligence, NDLEA officers tracked the shipment through the customs clearance process to a logistics warehouse outside the airport,” the statement revealed.
However, the delivery point was later changed to Enugu. NDLEA operatives carried out a follow-up operation, leading to Inya’s arrest as he attempted to collect the consignment.
In a separate operation on December 6, NDLEA operatives in Adamawa State intercepted 511,000 tramadol pills from a Siena vehicle near Hildi, Askira Uba. The suspects abandoned the vehicle after realizing they were being pursued.
“In the early hours of Friday, December 6, a Siena vehicle carrying 511,000 tramadol pills was intercepted at Hildi, Askira Uba. The suspects abandoned the vehicle after a detour and fled upon noticing NDLEA operatives on their trail,” the statement added.
In Ekiti State, two suspects, Olanrewaju Alale (48) and Babatunde Kayode Ijadahun (55), were arrested on the Ise-Emure Road while transporting 1,323 kilograms of cannabis in a J5 bus. The suspects claimed the consignment was en route to Owo, Ondo State, for further distribution to northern Nigeria.
Similarly, in Oyo State, operatives apprehended Adekunle Yusuf (33) with 704 kilograms of cannabis concealed in white sacks on Idere Road, Igboora.
Lagos State Crackdown
In Lagos, NDLEA operatives arrested a 65-year-old grandmother, Ramata Bola Adeyemo, on December 6 at 62 Odunfa Street, Lagos Island. She was found in possession of 20.6 liters of codeine-based syrup.
Additionally, on December 5, Alhaji Lawan Manga was apprehended at Ogundana Street, Ikeja, with 4.7 kilograms of cannabis and 1.3 kilograms of tramadol.
The NDLEA continues its nationwide operations to curb drug trafficking and illicit drug trade, making significant seizures and arrests in recent weeks.
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