Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on Sunday said they unmasked members of an organised criminal network behind the recent importation of two containers laden with illicit drugs.
NDLEA, in a press statement on Sunday signed by its Director, Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, also noted that assorted arms and ammunition were transported from Durban, South Africa, to the Tincan seaport in Lagos.
The agency said among those already arrested as members of the syndicate are a clearing and notify party of the two containers, Falowo Samuel Kayode; a dock worker, Anjorin Idowu; and Uzairu Ahmed Iguda, who is in charge of the Five Star terminal at the port.
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It, however, said another dock worker at the terminal, Mohammed Muktar Sule (alias organizer) who is equally linked to the syndicate is currently at large.
“Based on credible intelligence, the agency had requested a 100 per cent joint examination of two containers marked MSCU 4581770 and TRHU 7968071 from South Africa. As a result, the exercise was conducted with other stakeholders on January 18th and 19th, 2024, during which 56.39kg cocaine and 795kg Colorado, a synthetic strong strain of cannabis among other illegal items were recovered from the containers.
“Following a tasking order by the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) to a combined team of specialised units of the agency to unravel those behind the importation of the large consignments of illicit drugs, ongoing investigations have led to the discovery of more bags of Colorado weighing 192.7kg, a pistol, and rounds of ammunition removed from the container, MSCU 4581770 and hidden in an empty container before the 100 percent joint examination at the Five Star terminal.
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“As a result, two suspects: Uzairu Ahmed Iguda who is in charge of the terminal’s container positioning and stacking, and Anjorin Idowu who is a dock worker in the terminal have been arrested. Another suspect, Mohammed Muktar Sule (alias organizer) now at large, is also a dock worker in the terminal. Investigations reveal that the three suspects conspired with the agent and notified party, Falowo Samuel Kayode to remove the 192.7kg Colorado, pistol and rounds of ammunition from the container to an empty container in the terminal.
“The latest seizure brings the total recovered from the two containers to 56.39kg of cocaine and 987.9kg of Colorado with a combined weight of 1,044.29kg. Investigations have also revealed three kingpins believed to be based in South Africa and connected with the importation of the containers. They include: Odeyemi Taiwo Emmanuel; Akinyemi Olayinka and Adebayo Adewole Emmanuel who are now on the Agency’s wanted list.”
It noted that NDLEA officers on February 20th, raided a drug joint under a powerline off Etete road, GRA Benin city, Edo state, where they arrested a sales girl, Jessica Destiny, 24, and recovered assorted illicit drugs.
It said a follow-up operation the following day led to the arrest of the owner of the joint, 36-year-old Ibrahim Sani who is the Commander, Arewa Association Vigilantes in the area.
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