May 24, (THEWILL) — The recent arrest of a suspected drug baron, three Mexican methamphetamine experts and six Nigerian collaborators during coordinated operations in Ogun and Lagos states by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has once again showed the commitment and dedication of the agency to rid Nigeria of illicit drugs, prevent the country from being used as a safe haven for illicit drug manufacturing and trafficking by transnational drug syndicates. The total value of the seized drugs at N480b not only boggles the mind about the sheer size of the operations but also the implications for the image of Nigeria as a drug deport and base for drug cartels.
According to the agency’s boss, retired Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa, the operation, carried out by the NDLEA’s elite Special Operations Unit (SOU), followed months of painstaking intelligence gathering and surveillance targeting a sophisticated methamphetamine production network operating in Nigeria.
Specifically, before the daredevils were busted, they had been operating a massive clandestine methamphetamine laboratory hidden inside Abidagba Forest in Ijebu – East Local Government Area of Ogun State, disguised as a regular farm settlement whereas it was serving as an industrial-scale methamphetamine production centre operated by the Anochili Innocent Drug Trafficking Organisation (DTO).
The operation of the agency’s elite squad launched simultaneous raids within 48 hours across Ogun and Lagos states, led to the dismantling of the cartel’s operations and the recovery of methamphetamine and precursor chemicals valued at over N480 billion.
The suspects arrested at the site were identified as Nwankwo Sunday Christian, 41; Igwe Abuchi Remijus, 42; Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua, 23; Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, 38; alongside Mexican nationals Martinez Felix Nemecto, 46; Jesus López Valles, 40; and Torrero Juan Carlos, 51.
Simultaneously, another tactical team stormed the Lekki residence of the alleged cartel mastermind, Anochili Innocent, located at No. 8 Tafawa Balewa Street, Golf Estate, Lakowe, Lagos, where he was arrested.
The NDLEA boss further disclosed that follow-up operations on Monday led operatives to another property allegedly owned by the suspect at House 70, Close 3, Mayfair Estate, Lakowe, where another syndicate member, Kingsley Orike Omonughwa, 44, was arrested. Investigators also raided the residence of another suspect, Emeka Nwobum, whose property was allegedly being used as the cartel’s strategic stash house.
According to Marwa, the arrests brought the total number of suspects currently in NDLEA custody to 10, including the kingpin, three Mexican specialists and six Nigerian collaborators.
Coming barely two weeks after the agency announced the dismantling of another international drug trafficking organisation allegedly headed by Simon Amadi in a joint operation involving the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and European law enforcement agencies, this haul is not only a major breakthrough for the NDLEA but also a testament to the agency’s commitment to rid Nigeria of harmful drugs and clean its image as a haven for cartels manufacturing and trafficking illicit drugs.
We salute the NDLEA’s boss and his entire staff, local and international collaborators for the onerous work they had been doing to keep Nigeria free from illicit drugs. This latest feat is massive and shows that their consistency and dedication to their mission has paid off. Henceforth, the cartels will think twice before looking to Nigeria as a place for their illicit and dangerous trace. Kudos.
