The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has arrested a 55-year-old businessman and clothing dealer at Lagos’ Balogun Market, Onuigbo Ndubisi Chinedu, over an alleged attempt to smuggle 3.3 kilograms of cocaine to the United Kingdom.
The illicit drug was concealed inside the walls of cartons used to package food items and was intercepted by NDLEA operatives at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
According to a statement by the Director, Media and Advocacy NDLEA Headquarters Femi Babafemi, following investigations, three cargo agents and another suspect, Kenneth Okakpu, were initially arrested.
Their interrogation led operatives to Onuigbo, who investigators identified as the alleged mastermind of the trafficking syndicate.The statement said Onuigbo was arrested while allegedly preparing to send another cocaine shipment to the UK.
In a related operation, NDLEA operatives arrested a 31-year-old entrepreneur, Emmanuella Chukwu-Edo, at her Surulere residence after intercepting a consignment containing 2.8 kilograms of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, which arrived from the United States on a United Airlines flight.
The agency says the arrests underscore its sustained efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks and prevent illicit drugs from leaving or entering the count