NDLEA busts businessman, family, friend running drug network in Lagos

By : Kareem Azeez

NDLEA-Arrest

In a sweeping crackdown on narcotics trafficking, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a Lagos-based businessman, his wife, their two daughters, and a family friend for allegedly running a major illicit drug distribution network in the city.

The suspects, Ajah Johnson Uchenna, his wife Rosemary, daughters Stella and Ngozi, and their associate Okoro Elijah, were all taken into custody after a series of coordinated operations that exposed the family’s deep involvement in the skunk trade.

The agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, in a statement on Sunday, said the operation began with a tip-off that led to the arrest of the couple on June 13 by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) in the Ojo area of Lagos. They were subsequently handed over to the NDLEA along with 277.5 kilograms of cannabis (commonly referred to as skunk).

“While still in custody and under investigation, NDLEA received credible intelligence that the family’s drug operations were still ongoing,” Babafemi said.

Acting on the tip, NDLEA operatives raided the family’s residence and packing store on July 1, where they uncovered an additional 231 kilograms of skunk. During this follow-up raid, the daughters, Ngozi and Blessing Uchenna, and family friend Elijah were arrested for continuing the illegal trade in the absence of the parents.

In a separate development, NDLEA intercepted parcels of cocaine concealed inside lipstick cases and property title documents, bound for the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia, respectively. The illicit cargo was seized at a logistics company in Lagos on July 3 by NDLEA’s Directorate of Operations and General Investigation.

Another operation at Lagos airport led to the interception of 52 counterfeit traveller’s cheques worth 17.7 million Australian dollars, hidden inside children’s books and headed to Malaysia via Turkish Airlines. A freight agent, Bolarinwa Saheed, was arrested and handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation.

The NDLEA has vowed to intensify its clampdown on drug cartels, regardless of how well disguised or connected they are, reaffirming its commitment to stemming the tide of drug abuse and trafficking across Nigeria.

GUARDIAN Newspapers