Article Summary
- The NDLEA has intercepted a large methamphetamine shipment, valued at N567 million, heading for the UK.
- The drugs were discovered in powdered custard containers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
- Multiple arrests have been made concerning the operation, including the alleged drug lord Charles Chinedu Ezeh.
- Ezeh had fled the UK due to drug-related charges and has lived in Nigeria since December 2022.
- NDLEA officers also searched Ezeh’s mansion in Lekki, Lagos, where they recovered various documents.
- Other related arrests and seizures took place across the country.
News Story
A significant haul of methamphetamine, estimated to be worth N567 million, has been intercepted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. The illicit substance was disguised in powdered custard containers and was part of a consolidated cargo destined for London, UK.
The operation, which took place on Tuesday, 16th May, led to the arrest of freight agent Nwobodo Chidiebere and a woman named Chioma Lucy Akuta. Further operations culminated in the arrest of the alleged orchestrator of the operation, Charles Chinedu Ezeh, in Amuwo Odofin, Lagos, on Thursday, 18th May.
Despite asserting his occupation as a businessman in Onitsha, Anambra State, the investigation into Ezeh revealed he had been living in London with his family until his departure to Nigeria in December 2022 after being implicated in a drug-related offence in the UK.
While Ezeh claimed to have resided in hotels since his return, NDLEA operatives were able to locate his mansion in Lekki, Lagos, where they found and secured various documents related to his travel and property.
Alongside these operations, multiple arrests and drug seizures have been conducted nationwide. For instance, notorious drug dealer Prince Ikechukwu Uzoma was apprehended in Adamawa with 1kg of skunk; a trans-border trafficker, Faisal Mohammed, was arrested in Mubi with 23,760 tramadol pills; and two suspects were apprehended in Oyo state with 2.13kg cannabis.
The NDLEA, led by Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) has praised the professionalism of its agents and urged continued vigilance across all the agency’s commands and formations nationwide.
Editorial
Stemming the Drug Menace: NDLEA’s Swift Intervention
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)’s recent seizure of a large methamphetamine shipment to the UK is a notable stride in the battle against drug trafficking. The swift response to this international drug trafficking attempt demonstrates the NDLEA’s commitment to dismantling such operations and holding those involved accountable.
Charles Chinedu Ezeh, the man at the heart of this operation, is not a unique case.
His profile as a fugitive from drug-related charges in the UK highlights a recurring trend in the drug trade – individuals who commit drug-related crimes often move locations to evade the law.
Ezeh’s arrest sends a powerful message that law enforcement agencies will find them no matter where these individuals hide.
This recent bust, however, isn’t just about one man or one operation.
It is indicative of a broader drug problem that is affecting Nigeria and the wider global community. The NDLEA, with its latest series of arrests and seizures across the country, shows that it is not letting its guard down. They are fighting this menace on all fronts, showing their readiness to tackle drug crimes head-on.
The vigilance and swift action of the NDLEA should be commended. Yet, as Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) stated there’s still more work.
It is a call to action for all agents across the nation – and, indeed, a message to the Nigerian populace that the fight against the drug trade continues.
