NDLEA FOILS INTERNATIONAL DRUG SMUGGLING OPERATIONS, ARRESTS UK-BASED GRANDMOTHER, MALAYSIA- LINKED KINGPIN

NDLEA FOILS INTERNATIONAL DRUG SMUGGLING OPERATIONS, ARRESTS UK-BASED GRANDMOTHER, MALAYSIA- LINKED KINGPIN 

By Jennifer Nwosu 

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recorded another major breakthrough in its nationwide offensive against illicit drug trafficking with the arrest of a 67-year-old Nigerian-British grandmother caught attempting to smuggle 13 kilograms of cocaine concealed inside fake plantain peels, while also dismantling a Malaysia-bound cocaine syndicate led by a Nigerian PhD student.

In a statement released by the Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the Agency said the operations highlight the growing sophistication of international drug trafficking networks and reaffirm the commitment of the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), to disrupting criminal syndicates through intelligence-driven enforcement while sustaining the Agency's War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaign across Nigeria.

The Nigerian-British suspect, Mrs. Mary Yetunde Barek, a caregiver based in the United Kingdom, was arrested on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at the departure hall of Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, while preparing to board a Virgin Atlantic flight to London. A thorough search of her luggage uncovered 31 wraps of cocaine, weighing 13 kilograms, carefully packaged to resemble fresh plantain peels and concealed among food items. She later admitted ownership of the illicit consignment.
In a separate intelligence-led operation, NDLEA operatives uncovered a cocaine trafficking syndicate linked to Malaysia following the interception of 36 parcels of cocaine weighing 5.80 kilograms concealed inside the walls of nine cartons of Orijin Bitters destined for Kuala Lumpur. Investigations led to the arrest of 45-year-old Nwabueze Felix Onyeka, a PhD student at the University of Putra, Malaysia, who was apprehended at his hometown in Aziora, Ozubulu, Anambra State, after weeks of coordinated surveillance.
Four other suspects arrested during the investigation include cargo agent Alalade Taiwo Azeez, driver Ndem Ogbonna Kelechi, trader Okeke Tochukwu Chimezie of ASPANDA Market, Trade Fair Complex, Lagos, and Igwilo Chidi Henry, who supplied the Orijin Bitters cartons used to conceal the cocaine. Investigators identified Nwabueze as the alleged mastermind of the international trafficking network.

The Agency also intensified operations across several states. In Taraba State, operatives arrested Daniel Harrison Ugwuoke, 30, along the Zaki-Biam Road in Wukari Local Government Area with 43,980 capsules of tramadol concealed inside two modified vehicle fuel tanks.
In Kaduna State, Boniface Agu, 65, and Monday Nwaeze, 50, were arrested during a raid in Gwantu with 1.7 kilograms of methamphetamine. In Ebonyi State, Francis Ifara Eja, 65, was apprehended with 231.7 kilograms of skunk, while in Plateau State, 75-year-old Alhaji Babani was arrested in Kurgwi, Qua'anpan Local Government Area, with 15 kilograms of skunk.
In Gombe State, NDLEA officers acting on credible intelligence arrested Dahiru Mohammed, 65, and Isiya Lawan, 36, at Kuri Village, Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area, where they recovered 587 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 556 kilograms.

Beyond enforcement, the Agency sustained its' War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaign with sensitization programmes in schools and communities, including Girls Secondary School, Abagana (Anambra), Government Technical College, Obe (Enugu), Adeola Odutola College, Ijebu Ode (Ogun) and FCE Staff Demonstration School, Kabuga (Kano).
Brig. General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended officers of the MMIA, Taraba, Kaduna, Ebonyi, Plateau and Gombe Commands for their professionalism and operational successes. He urged personnel across the country to sustain the momentum by strengthening both drug supply reduction operations and preventive public awareness initiatives aimed at protecting communities from the dangers of substance abuse.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

POLICE SECONDARY SCHOOL SAGAMU HOLDS MAIDEN PASSING OUT PARADE, HONOURS EXCELLENCE AT GRADUATION CEREMONY

Image
POLICE SECONDARY SCHOOL SAGAMU HOLDS MAIDEN PASSING OUT PARADE, HONOURS EXCELLENCE AT GRADUATION CEREMONY  By Jennifer Nwosu  Discipline, academic achievement and character took centre stage as Police Secondary School, Oke-Ibu, Batoro, Sagamu, held its' maiden Passing-Out Parade, Graduation Ceremony and Prize-Giving Day, marking a significant milestone in the institution's history. The event opened with a colourful march past by students, followed by the passing-out parade of the graduating class and a ceremonial guard of honour. The reviewing officer, representing the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, Area Commander of Sagamu Area Command, ACP Aremu Olusola, inspected the parade and took the salute. The ceremony began with an opening prayer led by Pastor Alex, Coordinator of Student Outreach, Sagamu Zone. Delivering the goodwill message on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, ACP Olusola congratulated the graduating students and urged them to re...
Read more

FOB FORMOSO RALLIES PERSONNEL, HOST COMMUNITIES FOR Q2 ROUTE MARCH IN BRASS

Image
FOB FORMOSO RALLIES PERSONNEL, HOST COMMUNITIES FOR Q2 ROUTE MARCH IN BRASS By Jennifer Nwosu  Forward Operating Base FORMOSO, Nigerian Navy, held its' Second Quarter Route March on Saturday, June 27, 2026, across Egweama and Liama Communities in Brass LGA, Bayelsa State, in line with the Navy’s 2026 training calendar. The exercise focused on keeping personnel physically fit and operationally prepared. Officers, ratings, NYSC members posted to the Basenand local security personnel turned out in large numbers, reflecting strong civil-military collaboration.  The Commanding Officer, Capt. SK Haruna, praised the turnout and commitment, saying route marches build endurance, sustain combat readiness and ensure swift response to operational demands. He also lauded the NYSC members and community security teams, describing their involvement as a sign of the cordial relationship between the Base and its' hosts. The march closed in high spirits with three hearty cheers for t...
Read more

POLICE SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS VISIT OGUN CP AS CHILDREN'S DAY CELEBRATIONS CONTINUE

Image
POLICE SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS VISIT OGUN CP AS CHILDREN'S DAY CELEBRATIONS CONTINUE  By Jennifer Nwosu  The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, joined students of Police Secondary School, Sagamu, in celebrating the 2026 Children’s Day, describing children as the future leaders whose education, discipline and moral upbringing remain vital to national development. In a statement released by the Police Public Relations Officer, Ogun State Command, DSP Oluseyi B. Babaseyi, the students, accompanied by the school’s Commandant, CSP Nanloh Rindap and members of the management team, paid a courtesy visit to the Command Headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta, as part of activities marking the annual celebration. During the visit, CSP Nanloh Rindap praised the Commissioner of Police for his leadership and support toward the welfare and development of students within the Police community. Student representative, Oluwadarasimi Adeyemo, also appreciated ...
Read more