The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) mentioned it has dismantled two main drug cartels behind six completely different consignments of cocaine hid in partitions of stainless cups, physique cream and hair gel containers
That is contained in a press release by the Director, Media and Advocacy NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, on Sunday in Abuja.
Mr Babafemi mentioned that the arrest adopted a sequence of intelligence-led operations that lasted over three weeks throughout Lagos.
He mentioned that the operation additionally led to the arrest of 5 suspects and in the end the arrowhead of the syndicate, Hammed Ode, who represented himself as a businessman and actual property developer.
The spokesman added that the start of the tip of the felony syndicate’s operations started on 16 September when NDLEA operatives on the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed Worldwide Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos intercepted 174 parcels of cocaine.
In keeping with him, the medication which weighed 13.40 kilograms have been hid within the partitions of cocoa butter physique cream containers.
Mr Babafemi mentioned {that a} cargo agent was promptly arrested including that additional investigations revealed Hammed Ode because the mastermind of the cargo.
In keeping with him, after weeks of intelligence, it was established that the suspected drug baron had reported a dispute on the Zone 2 headquarters of the police in Lagos.
He mentioned the NDLEA sought the cooperation of the police to get the suspect into custody.
“Throughout his preliminary interview, Alhaji Hammed Ode admitted possession of the consignment which he claimed he purchased at over N150 million.
“He claimed to be a businessman and property developer following his return from the UK in 2024.
“He had lived for over 27 years in lots of European nations together with Austria, Netherlands, France, Germany, and Saudi Arabia earlier than settling within the UK,” Mr Babafemi mentioned.
In like method, 5 different determined makes an attempt by one other felony syndicate to export cocaine consignments to the UK have been additionally annoyed by operatives of the MMIA Strategic Command of NDLEA.
Mr Babafemi mentioned that the unravelling of the gang began on 26 September following the seizure of cocaine weighing 2.10kg hid within the partitions of hair cream containers on the export shed of the Lagos airport.
He mentioned that the apprehension of a cargo agent led to the arrest of the consignor, Smith Korede, a furnishings maker, on Tuesday, 30 September at his 3 Arowojobe St., Mafoluku, Oshodi, Lagos base.
This, he mentioned, was the place one other consignment of 1.40kg of cocaine meant for export to the UK was recovered from him.
“Similar day, one other consignment of 1.00kg cocaine with the same mode of concealment additionally going to the U,Okay was additionally intercepted on the export shed of the airport.
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“The cargo agent arrested in reference to the 1.00kg cocaine additionally recognized Smith Korede because the consignor, bringing to 3 the variety of seized cocaine consignments linked to the suspect,” he mentioned.
Mr Babafemi mentioned that two different cocaine-laden consignments going to the UK have been additionally intercepted by NDLEA operatives on the export shed of the MMIA on Thursday, 2 October.
He mentioned that two suspects, Ogunbiyi Oluseye and Popoola Olumuyiwa, linked to the seizures have been promptly arrested.
“One of many consignments comprises crayfish, and 12 items of stainless cups used to hide 1.00kg of cocaine.
“The second consignment additionally comprises crayfish, and 36 containers of hair cream used to hide 1.60kg of cocaine,” he mentioned.
(NAN)
