By Taiwo Adebowale, Senior Business Corespondent
IKEJA, Lagos — Following the dismantling of a transcontinental heroin trafficking conspiracy by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in a historic operation, the largest-ever heroin cargo was intercepted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja, Lagos. Important cartel members were apprehended during the well-planned 12-day operation, and 11 others were listed as wanted.
Chairman/CEO Unveils Operation Details:
During a press conference in Lagos on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, the Chairman and CEO of NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), revealed the specifics of the operation. This disclosure is a result of the NDLEA’s increased efforts to combat drug trafficking and its dedication to transparency.
Chronology of the Operation:
The operation started on February 10, 2024, when agents from the NDLEA discovered a suspicious item in the MMIA Cargo Terminal’s SAHCO Import Shed. Concealed between 15 cartons of 2300-watt metal cutting equipment, the cargo revealed 45 blocks of premium heroin totaling 49.70 kg in weight.
After the finding, thorough investigations resulted in Olowolagba Wasiu Babatunde, the goods agent, being arrested, and the criminal network was subsequently dismantled. It was discovered that the syndicate operated throughout America, Europe, Mozambique, South Africa, and Nigeria.
Criminal Network Exposed:
The syndicate’s distribution network was laid bare during the arrest of Adinnu Felix Chinedu, the main distributor in Nigeria. Chinedu confessed to conveying consignments to a dedicated warehouse in Ayobo, where the drugs were meticulously extracted from the machines. The operation exposed a wide-reaching network with marked consignments assigned to various members of the organized criminal group.
Kingpin Identification and Raid:
Through extensive surveillance, NDLEA identified Reginald Peter Chidiebere as the kingpin of the Nigerian syndicate. A raid on his Golden Platinum Hotel and Suite in Ago Palace uncovered another drug mule, Igboanugo Chukwuebuka Thankgod, in possession of 2.2kg of heroin. The total seizure now stands at 51.90 kilograms.
Assets Forfeiture and Bank Account Freeze:
NDLEA took pre-emptive measures by freezing 107 bank accounts associated with 14 cartel members, containing a sum of N119,582,928.31. Additionally, assets linked to the syndicate, including Chidiebere’s hotel, mansion, and another mansion linked to Festus Ibewuike in Mozambique, have been marked for forfeiture to the Federal Government.
International Collaboration:
To ensure a comprehensive crackdown, NDLEA has shared intelligence with South African counterparts, targeting other members residing in that country. This collaboration emphasizes NDLEA’s commitment to eradicating drug trafficking networks globally.
NDLEA’s Resolve:
Brig Gen Marwa highlighted the parallel between this heroin bust and the historic 2022 cocaine seizure, affirming NDLEA’s determination to dismantle drug networks in Nigeria. Commending the collaboration with various stakeholders and international partners, he emphasized the agency’s unyielding commitment to ending the reign of drug barons and disconnecting Nigeria from global drug trafficking networks.
