By SUMAILA OGBAJE

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it dismantled Nigeria’s largest clandestine methamphetamine laboratory, arrested 9,769 suspects and secured 1,778 convictions between January and May.

The Director of Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this on Thursday during a joint security news briefing by defence, security, response and law enforcement agencies in Abuja.

The briefing was organised by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

Babafemi said operatives conducted 1,106 operations nationwide, dismantled 144 criminal gangs and seized more than 517 tonnes of illicit drugs without recording any casualty among its personnel.

He said Its most significant operation was the destruction of a transnational methamphetamine laboratory jointly operated by Nigerian traffickers and Mexican chemical specialists in Ogun and Lagos states.

According to him, simultaneous raids on May 16 led to the arrest of 10 cartel members, including the alleged kingpin, Anochili Innocent, and three Mexican methamphetamine technicians.

The NDLEA spokesman said operatives recovered 2,419.48 kilogrammes of precursor chemicals, industrial solvents and crystallised methamphetamine valued at about 362.9 million dollars, approximately N480 billion.

He said operatives also intercepted 4,173.5 kilogrammes of high-potency cannabis worth N10.4 billion concealed in vehicles at Tin Can Island Port after months of international intelligence tracking.

Babafemi added that another operation in Lagos recovered about 4.3 million bottles and tablets of codeine syrup and tramadol valued at N16.9 billion from interconnected drug warehouses.

The agency spokesman said a joint international operation also led to the arrest of alleged drug cartel leader, Amadi Simon, in Switzerland, with authorities freezing assets and seizing three hotel properties linked to money laundering.

He said that additional operations recovered 2,326 kilogrammes of imported cannabis worth N5.8 billion in Lekki and 1.83 million tablets of Tapentadol valued at N2.19 billion at Lagos Airport.

Babafemi also announced the arrest of wanted drug kingpin, Lekan Jimoh, alias “Kanmo-kanmo”, after a 12-year manhunt, alongside a Brazilian woman intercepted with 30.09 kilogrammes of heroin at Abuja Airport.

He reaffirmed NDLEA’s resolve to sustain aggressive enforcement operations and strengthen international collaboration against drug trafficking and organised criminal networks. (NAN)