The Delta State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough in its ongoing war against drug trafficking and violent crime, with the arrest of a notorious female drug baron and the recovery of a large cache of contraband substances in Ughelli.

According to Delta State Police spokesperson, DSP Bright Edafe, operatives from the Ughelli Area Command carried out a targeted raid on August 29, 2025, acting on credible intelligence regarding illicit drug activities in the Afisere area of Ughelli.

Edafe hinted that during the operation, the officers arrested 52-year-old Egbule Isioma, who ran a chemist store opposite the Afisere Town Hall.

She was apprehended alongside three of her female apprentices — Mercy John, Favour John, and Amarachi Ngozi.

The suspect later led operatives to her residence at No. 31 Edile Street, Afisere, where a search warrant was executed. A staggering quantity of illicit drugs was recovered, including: 355 bottles of CSC Codeine, 57 rolls of 50mg Tramadol capsules, 335 rolls of 100mg Tramadol capsules, 33 rolls of 200mg Super Royal, 540 sachets of Swinol capsules, seven packs of Backwoods and 16 cups of Canadian liquid cannabis.

He stated that the police’s preliminary investigations identified Isioma as a major dealer of illicit drugs in Ughelli and surrounding communities. The police have since intensified efforts to uncover the full network of her drug supply chain.

The police spokesperson also confirmed the arrest of an armed robbery suspect and the recovery of two stolen vehicles following a sting operation on August 24, 2025.

“Acting on a tip-off that two luxury SUVs were about to be sold for suspiciously low prices, the Ughelli Area Commander led a combined surveillance team to a hotel along Effurun-Sapele Road. There, they arrested 35-year-old Igenebo John, a native of Estako East LGA, Edo State.

“Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to being in possession of the vehicles — a black Mercedes-Benz GLK350 (Reg. No. ABJ420CY) and a white Lexus RX350 (Reg. No. RSH319CB)”, he said.

He said the suspect led police to two separate locations where the vehicles were recovered: the Mercedes at the hotel and the Lexus at Edu Street, off Jakpa Road, near Eco Bank in Uvwie council.

“Further investigation traced ownership of the Lexus RX350 to Mr. Nathaniel Ugbebe, who reported that his residence in Amukpe, Sapele, was invaded by five armed men on August 17, 2025, around 2:25 a.m. The assailants carted away multiple valuables, including: Redmi Note 14 smartphone N250,000), Infinix phone N350,000), iPhone 12 Pro Max N480,000), among others.

“They also transferred N1.9 million from his mobile banking app to a Moneypoit POS account before fleeing with his vehicle.

“The suspect claimed that the stolen vehicles were handed to him on August 14, 2025, by an individual identified only as Ameachi, who alleged they belonged to his deceased brother.

“Police are currently on the trail of Ameachi and other members of the syndicate, with efforts ongoing to recover the weapons used during the robbery and other stolen items”, Edafe added. (The Guardian)

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