NDLEA Operatives Arrest Businesswoman and Auto Parts Dealer in Major Drug Trafficking Bust

On September 16, 2024, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) announced the arrest of two individuals involved in a significant drug trafficking operation aimed at exporting illegal substances to the United Kingdom and Congo Brazzaville. The suspects, an Ibadan-based businesswoman named Adewunmi Dorcas and an auto parts dealer, Arinze Ora, were apprehended following a thorough investigation by NDLEA operatives.

The enforcement action began at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, where NDLEA officers intercepted a suspicious cargo destined for London on September 6, 2024. Upon inspection, the officers discovered a staggering 924 bottles of codeine-based syrup, weighing 135.70 kilograms, along with 5,250 tablets of Rohypnol cleverly concealed within cartons of foodstuffs. The freight agent responsible for the shipment, Owojori Olanrewaju Sunday, was arrested on the spot.

Subsequent investigations revealed that Olanrewaju was working for Mrs. Adewunmi Dorcas, who allegedly orchestrated the export of these drugs. Further inquiries led to the apprehension of Mrs. Adewunmi, who operates a foodstuff and cargo export business in Ibadan. According to the agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, Olanrewaju admitted to receiving over N2.4 million for this shipment and had previously been compensated N2.1 million for a similar consignment.

In a separate incident on September 11, NDLEA operatives intercepted another shipment at the same airport, which included auto spare parts and Checker powder custard bound for Congo Brazzaville. A detailed search uncovered 300 grams of cocaine hidden within the custard containers. The sender of this cargo, Arinze Ora, was subsequently arrested at his auto parts shop in Lagos.

The agency’s operations did not stop there. On September 10, two brothers, Ikechukwu and Ugochukwu Ikeabba, were apprehended as part of an ongoing investigation into drug trafficking methods involving ingestion. Their arrest followed the earlier capture of a businessman from Anambra State, Ibeanusi Solomon Nosike, who had attempted to smuggle cocaine by ingesting it. After being under observation for 12 days, he excreted 68 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.282 kilograms.

The investigation into the Ikeabba brothers revealed connections to another suspect, Paul Mbadugha, who was arrested at the Abuja airport on August 12 while attempting to board a flight to Vietnam. Mbadugha tested positive for cocaine ingestion and, after four days of observation, excreted 88 wraps of the drug, totaling 1.710 kilograms. When the Ikeabba brothers were arrested, they were found in possession of 87 dummy wraps used for training aspiring drug swallowers.

The NDLEA’s efforts extended beyond Lagos, with significant arrests made in Gombe State on September 14. Three individuals—Auwal Abdullahi, Isah Rabiu, and Abubakar Da’u—were apprehended with 2,490,000 pills of Tramadol concealed in a truck. In Kaduna State, another suspect, Idris Adamu, was arrested with 41.5 kilograms of cannabis sativa on September 10.

Additionally, in Bauchi State, a major seizure was reported with over 208,920 pills of Tramadol and Diazepam confiscated from a suspect. In Lagos, operatives recovered 104 kilograms of cannabis from two individuals along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. A significant discovery also occurred at the Tincan port in Lagos, where NDLEA operatives, in collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service, uncovered 350,000 bottles of codeine-based syrup hidden within two containers shipped from India.

The NDLEA’s relentless efforts in combating drug trafficking and ensuring public safety continue to yield results, showcasing the agency’s commitment to eradicating illegal drug activities in Nigeria.