NDLEA arrests drug lord in Lagos

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has busted a drug trafficking syndicate in an intelligence operation that lasted three weeks.

NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

He said a shipment of cocaine hidden in cans containing palm kernel extract was confiscated in the operation.

Babafemi said drugs bound for the UK were intercepted and warehouses where shipments were packed were raided.

He added that all three layers of the group were exposed, which led to the baron’s arrest.

According to the spokesperson, the breakthrough began on March 11 when NDLEA officers attached to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Strategic Command Ikeja Lagos intercepted 3.10 kilograms of cocaine at the airport export warehouse.

“The prohibited substance was carefully hidden in cans containing palm kernel extract which were to be sent to the UK. Two suspects who handled the shipment were immediately arrested.

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“To uncover the sender and arrows of the drug syndicate, on Thursday, April 2, a well-coordinated sting operation was carried out resulting in the successful arrest of the sender of the shipment who was operating under a fake identity.

“His arrest provides links to the head of the syndicate, 52-year-old Raja Arinze who was evicted from his hideout in Isolo area of ​​Lagos.

“He was then taken to his warehouse at 11, Ola Ifa Road, Bucknor, Isolo where NDLEA officers discovered 886 cans of palm kernel extract prepared for concealment of drugs.

“Industrial equipment such as a sealing machine, can opener, spray paint, 52 grams of marijuana sativa and a pack of gloves were also confiscated. The suspect then admitted to personally draining the oil from the can to hide the cocaine,” he said.

In a separate operation in Borno, NDLEA agents on Wednesday intercepted a woman supplying drugs to a bandit group operating between the North East and Chad.

Babafemi said the suspect was arrested along the Gamboru-Ngala road for possession of 4.3 kilograms of Colorado, a potent form of synthetic marijuana.

A pastor in charge of the Celestial Church of Christ, Agonvi Sea Beach, Sakpo area at Seme border, Badagry in Lagos state, and his wife, were arrested by NDLEA agents at Gbaji check post on Thursday.

Babafemi said a search of their Honda Pilot SUV resulted in the discovery of an 11-kilogram block of skunk hidden in a hidden part of their vehicle.

“The arrest of the couple follows the arrest of a fake security agent at the same checkpoint on Monday while transporting a 24.5kg skunk from Seme border to Lagos,” he said.