By IBIRONKE ARIYO

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled no fewer than six syndicates leading to the seizure of tons of assorted illicit drugs and the arrest of nine kingpins in a series of intelligence-led interdiction operations.

A statement by the NDLEA Director, Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi on Sunday in Abuja said that NDLEA operatives had carried out a blistering crac’down on drug trafficking organisations across the country.

Babafemi said that in one of such operations, NDLEA officers on Tuesday, Nov. 18 arrested two members of a drug trafficking organisation in Onitsha, Anambra.

This, he said, was when they showed up to take delivery of 5.40 kilograms of methamphetamine, 10.70 kilograms of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis and 16g of cocaine.

This, he added, also included 200 grams of phenacetin, 200 grams of methcathinone and 100 grams of caffeine concealed in pressure machine cylinders imported from South Africa.

“The first to show up at a logistics company in Onitsha for the collection of the consignments was a 30-year-old electrical appliances dealer.

“He was promptly arrested while shortly after, another member of the syndicate 51-year-old South Africa returnee showed up and was equally arrested.

“The consignments had arrived at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja-Lagos with airway bill number 118-12882973.

“It arrived from South Africa on a Tag-Angola flight on Nov. 13 and was immediately seized based on credible intelligence.

“A follow up sting operation was thereafter organised in Onitsha, Anambra state where the recipients were arrested,” he said.

In another operation at the Lagos airport, NDLEA operatives on Thursday, Nov. 20 intercepted a brake servo automobile part used to conceal 48 pellets and a block of cocaine.

Babafemi said that the drugs were packed with a gross weight of 2.30 kilograms packed among other auto parts going to Gabon.

He said that following the arrest of a freight agent who presented the consignment for export, a follow up at ASMPDA market, Trade Fair Complex, Ojo Lagos led to the arrest of an auto parts dealer.

Meanwhile, in Kogi, NDLEA operatives on Monday, Nov. 17 intercepted a trailer conveying 4,700 kilograms of skunk, a strain of cannabis at Kabba.

“Three suspects accompanying the consignment were arrested while a follow up operation in Jos, Plateau state on Friday, Nov. 21 led to the arrest of the kingpin who owns the trailer and the illicit drug consignment.

In another development, a couple were on Wednesday, Nov. 19 arrested at their warehouse located at 13 Park road, Ugep Yakur LGA, Cross River where 362 jumbo bags of skunk weighing 4,706 kilograms were recovered.

In Edo state, two ladies who specialise in the production and online sale of brownies laced with illicit drugs were on Saturday, Nov. 22 arrested in Benin city.

“At the point of their arrest, one of the suspects was found with 12 plates and a cup of drug-laced brownies laced while the other was nabbed with 76g of skunk, 1.5grams of Colorado and drug-laced brownies.

“A raid at Ososo village, Akoko Edo LGA, on Tuesday, Nov. 18 led to the arrest of 35-year-old Shedrack Aminu, who was found with 59kg skunk,” he said.

Justifying the current heavy crackdown on drug trafficking syndicates, the NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa said the coming festive season was usually a period often exploited by criminal elements.

Marwa said that the agency had decided to launch a relentless offensive on drug trafficking cartels across the nation.

“The coming weeks present both an opportunity and a challenge.

“Drug cartels may attempt to increase their illegal activities, seeking to profit during the busy holiday period. We must not, and we will not, let down our guard”, he added. (NAN)