Two siblings were taken into custody by National Drug Law Enforcement Agency agents in Abia, where they seized methamphetamine and cocaine valued more over N4.1 billion.
The two siblings, Kelechi and Chinwe Nwaobasi, were taken into custody on June 13 and 14, 2023, as part of a special inquiry.
They were detained after months of intelligence collection, according to a statement released on Sunday by Femi Babafemi, Director of the NDLEA’s Media and Advocacy division.
He continued by saying that the cartel’s leaders were taken into custody after 20.76 kg of cocaine and methamphetamine were taken from them.
The statement said, “After the siblings’ arrest and the seizure of cocaine and methamphetamine consignments valued at over N4.1 billion on the street from their hideout in Aba, the commercial city of Abia State, officers of the Special Operation Unit of the NDLEA took down a cartel headed by a drug baron, 49-year-old Kelechi Monday Nwaobasi and his 50-year-old elder sister, Ms. Chinwe Rose Nwaobasi.
“After months of intelligence gathering, a special operation was carried out on Thursday and Friday, June 13 and 14, 2024, at 3B, Boundary Avenue, Aba and a residence along Ohia Road, Ohia, Abia State. This resulted in the arrest of the ring leaders and the joint seizure of 20.76 kilograms of cocaine and methamphetamine from them.”
In addition, Babafemi added that four individuals suspected of importing and distributing opioids had been taken into custody in Lagos.
He continued by saying that 82,000 opioid bottles overall, valued at almost N600 million, had been found on the suspects.
In a related development, Babafemi stated, “The NDLEA operatives in Lagos State have discovered an expansive warehouse stocked with a large consignment of codeine-based syrup, located at Comfort Oboh area of Kirikiri. During an intelligence-led raid on the facility, four persons connected to the importation and distribution of the opioid were arrested.”
“On Monday, June 10, 2024, when the NDLEA officers conducted the operation, they recovered 82,000 bottles of the opioid worth over N600 million in street value, along with a Toyota Tacuma truck and two buses used for distributing the substance.” “Those arrested include: Kingsley Amanambu Obumneke, 38; Emeka Emmanuel, 48; Bonaventure Ugochukwu, 59; and Martin Dike, 56.”
According to Babafemi, other suspects in Lagos and Kano states had been caught with opioids.
“Two days later, on June 12, agents apprehended Ibrahim Abdulhamid, a second suspect, at Alaba Suru, Ojo Local Council Development Area of the state. He was found in possession of 29,100 pills of tramadol and other opiates, along with 3.9 liters of codeine syrup.
“After being apprehended on Monday, June 10, in the Gadar Tamburawa district of Kano, Yasir Rabi’u, 23, and Abubakar Ado, 30, who are significant distributors of illicit drugs in Jigawa and Kano states, were found in possession of 230,600 tramadol 225mg and 200mg pills. In a similar vein, on Tuesday, June 11, in the Kofar Nassarawa neighborhood of Kano, another suspect, Hassan Abdullahi Ali, 25, was apprehended in possession of 150 bottles of codeine syrup, according to the statement.
On Monday, June 10, early in the morning, Babafemi reported that NDLEA agents in Ogun State had taken 390 kg of cannabis and detained Muhammad Sani, Nura Mohammad, and Samaila Rabe.
He continued by saying that on Wednesday, June 12, its officers raided a plant that made scrunchies in Sagamu town’s Sabo neighborhood, leading to the arrest of seven individuals.
“They consist of Kareem Jamiu, Oriyimi Ayo, Bamidele Wasiu, Rasheed Olarewanju, Ramota Lawal, Amudalat Olarewanju, and Adeniyi Omotosho,” the statement continued. 387 liters of skuchies, 70 liters of industrial codeine, 25 kg of cannabis, varied amounts of tramadol, rophynol, and diazepam, as well as a variety of tools used in the creation of the novel psychoactive substance are among the exhibits that were retrieved from them.
According to Babafemi, two suspects were apprehended in the Federal Capital Territory in possession of 3,550 bottles of “Akuskura,” a novel concoction of psychoactive drugs.
“During a raid on Friday, June 14 at Garki Area 10 and Dutse Suokale, both within the Federal Capital Territory, operatives arrested two suspects: Muhammad Abba, 33, and Samson Ehizogie, 42, in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, with 3,550 bottles of “Akuskura,” a new mixture of psychotropic substances,” he said.
