NDLEA’s special operation unit successfully dismantled a major drug cartel in Aba, seizing N4.7 billion worth of cocaine and methamphetamine. The operation led to the arrest of key suspects, marking a significant victory in the fight against drug trafficking in Nigeria.
Aba, Nigeria — In a significant crackdown, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a major drug cartel operating in Aba, Abia State. The special operation unit seized cocaine and methamphetamine worth over N4.7 billion in street value, leading to the arrest of the cartel’s key figures, including 49-year-old Kelechi Monday Nwaobasi and his 50-year-old sister, Ms. Chinwe Rose Nwaobasi.
Femi Babafemi, NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, announced on Sunday that the operation, conducted on June 13th and 14th, 2024, followed months of intelligence gathering. The raids at 3B Boundary Avenue, Aba, and a residence on Ohia Road resulted in the seizure of 20.76 kilograms of cocaine and methamphetamine.
Simultaneously, in Lagos State, NDLEA operatives uncovered a large warehouse filled with codeine-based syrup in the Comfort Oboh area of Kirikiri. This intelligence-led raid resulted in the arrest of four individuals and the recovery of 82,000 bottles of the opioid, worth over N600 million.
Further arrests and seizures were made across Nigeria:
-In Lagos, Ibrahim Abdulhamid was intercepted with 29,100 pills of tramadol and 3.9 liters of codeine syrup.
-In Kano and Jigawa, Yasir Rabi’u and Abubakar Ado were arrested with 230,600 pills of tramadol, while Hassan Abdullahi Ali was nabbed with 150 bottles of codeine syrup.
-In Ogun, a raid led to the seizure of 390kg of cannabis and the arrest of Muhammad Sani, Nura Mohammad, and Samaila Rabe.
-Additional operations in Edo, Ekiti, Abuja, Benue, Anambra, and Kwara resulted in numerous arrests and the destruction of large quantities of illicit drugs.
Reacting to these developments, NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) praised the efforts of the special operation unit and other state commands, emphasizing the importance of their continued vigilance in reducing drug supply and demand across the country.
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