NDLEA Seizes N4.8bn Illicit Drugs, $20m Counterfeit Notes In Lagos, Abuja

Gom Mirian

In a major drug bust, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered N4.8 billion worth of opioids in a warehouse in Lagos.

In another development, the agency intercepted $20 million counterfeit notes in Abuja during a raid of a criminal hideout in the city.

These operations have been described as significant milestones in the agency’s fight against drug trafficking.

According to the agency, in a statement issued on Sunday by its Spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, the opioids seized on Saturday were found in a warehouse owned by a wanted billionaire drug baron tucked in “the midst of popular International Trade Fair Complex,” Alaba, Ojo, area of the State.

Babafemi said the recovered drugs include 1.4 million (1,400,000) pills of tramadol 225mg weighing 826kgs; 3.2 million (3,200,000) pills of codeine with a gross weight of 3,360kgs; and 2,841 cartons of codeine syrup containing 284,100 bottles with 28,410 litres of the psychoactive substance, with a combined street value of four billion eight hundred and twenty million, five hundred thousand naira (N4,820,500,000) only.

“During the operation that lasted hours, a suspect, Paulinus Ojukwu, who is Chief Security Officer to the wanted drug baron, who parades as automobile spare parts dealer, was arrested and now assisting ongoing investigation.

“The latest drug warehouse bust is coming on the heels of the arrest of a drug baroness, Faith Ebele Nwankwo, who was nabbed on Wednesday, 9th August, with two million, seven hundred and fifty thousand (2,750,000) pills of tea making, a brand of tramadol 225mg, and 250mg recovered from her residence at House 6, C close, 3rd Avenue, Festac area of Lagos and a warehouse located at Plot 3432, Sola Akinsola Street, Divine Estate, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos,” Babafemi added.

Speaking on the operations, NDLEA Chairman, Brig-Gen. Buba Marwa, commended the agency’s operatives for their professionalism and dedication to their duties.

“Today’s seizures, coming after intelligence-driven operations, are yet another message to criminal drug cartels that their time is up. Ensure that the fleeing baron is smoked out from his hiding to face charges,” he said.

While instructing its operatives nationwide to intensify the heat on drug cartels, Marwa also assured the public that the agency would continue to work tirelessly to ensure that drug traffickers and other criminals are brought to justice.

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