The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) announced on Sunday that its operatives have successfully dismantled two significant cross-border drug trafficking syndicates.
This operation led to the seizure of cocaine and opioids worth billions of naira and the arrest of six cartel leaders across various regions in Nigeria.
The NDLEA’s latest effort, which included a major operation at the Apapa Seaport in Lagos on November 6, resulted in the interception of 31.75 million tablets of 240mg Voltron, a controlled opioid.
These drugs were concealed in a container from India that was labeled as diclofenac sodium tablets.
NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi explained that the syndicates were tracked through months of intelligence gathering and surveillance.
He revealed that the network, with members based in Mubi (Adamawa State), Onitsha (Anambra State), Lagos, and Cameroon, is suspected of supplying drugs to terror groups in both Nigeria and Cameroon.
The cartel leaders arrested in the operation include Ibrahim Bawuro, Najib Ibrahim, Ibrahim Umar, Nelson Udechukwu Anayo, Ezeh Amaechi Martin, and Adejumo Elijah Ishola.
Babafemi further clarified that the network sourced drugs like tramadol from suppliers in Onitsha, concealed them in vehicles, and transported them to the North and Cameroon using specially modified vehicle compartments.
In a separate incident, Adejumo Elijah Ishola was apprehended at Seme Border, Lagos, with 3.3 kg of cocaine and 600 grams of synthetic cannabis. Intelligence reports revealed that Ishola had been trafficking drugs from Ghana into Nigeria.
