Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested several individuals and seized over 1,044 kilogrammes of illicit drugs, including cocaine and Colos, at the Tincan seaport in Lagos.
NDLEA’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, stating that it has arrested a port terminal operator, and dock worker for over 1,044.29kg of cocaine in Colos.
“Operatives of NDLEA have begun to unmask members of an organised criminal network behind the recent importation of two containers laden with illicit drugs as well as assorted arms and ammunition from Durban, South Africa, to the Tincan seaport in Lagos,” the statement reads.
The agency identified those already detained as part of the syndicate, including the clearing and notifying party of the two containers, Falowo Samuel Kayode; a dock worker, Anjorin Idowu; and Uzairu Ahmed Iguda, who is in charge of the Five Star terminal at the port.
NDLEA stated that another dock worker at the terminal, Mohammed Muktar Sule (alias organiser), who is equally linked to the syndicate, is currently at large.
According to the statement, the operation began with credible intelligence prompting a request for a thorough examination of two specific containers arriving from South Africa.
This joint inspection, conducted with other stakeholders on January 18th and 19th, 2024, yielded the initial discovery of 56.39 kilograms of cocaine and 795 kilograms of a potent synthetic cannabis strain known as “Colorado,” among other illegal items, recovered from the containers.
Following this initial seizure, NDLEA Chairman, Mohamed Buba Marwa, ordered further investigation, which resulted in the uncovering of additional concealed narcotics—192.7 kilogrammes of cannabis, a pistol, and ammunition—hidden within one of the containers before the joint examination.
“Ongoing investigations have led to the discovery of more bags of Colorado weighing 192.7kg, a pistol, and rounds of ammunition removed from the container, MSCU 4581770 and hidden in an empty container before the 100 percent joint examination at the Five Star terminal.
“As a result, two suspects: Uzairu Ahmed Iguda who is in charge of the terminal’s container positioning and stacking, and Anjorin Idowu who is a dock worker in the terminal have been arrested. Another suspect, Mohammed Muktar Sule (alias organizer) now at large, is also a dock worker in the terminal. Investigations reveal that the three suspects conspired with the agent and notify party. Falowo Samuel Kayode to remove the 192.7kg Colorado, pistol and rounds of ammunition from the container to an empty container in the terminal.”
It added that investigations have also revealed three kingpins believed to be based in South Africa and connected with the importation of the containers.
They include Odevemi Taiwo Emmanuel, Akinyemi Olayinka and Adebayo Adewole Emmanuel, who are now on the Agency’s wanted list.
NDLEA noted that it apprehended a 67-year-old grandfather named Rafiu Ogunro in Magbon, Ogun State.
During the arrest, they seized a significant quantity of illegal substances, including 57 kilograms of cannabis, 2,700 pills of tramadol, and 231 bottles of codeine syrup, equivalent to 2.31 liters in volume.
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