NDLEA arrests businessman, manager ‘who provide drugs to nightclubs’ in Lagos

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says its operatives have arrested a manager and a businessman who allegedly sells illicit drugs at nightclubs in Lekki and Lagos Island axis.

In a statement on Sunday, Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesperson announced the development.

“Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested a Lekki-based artistes’ manager and his Ikoyi businessman accomplice who specialise in distributing illicit drugs to fun seekers at VIP night clubs and lounges in Lekki and Island axis of Lagos state,” the statement reads.

“Their arrest followed an intelligence about a shipment of Colorado, a synthetic strong strain of cannabis coming for them from Los Angeles, United States. Oseni Abdulraheem Ayodeji Babatunde (aka Papalampa) was the first to be arrested in his house at No. 3 Ope Daniel Taiwo Street, off Chisco Bus-Stop, Lekki area of Lagos when the consignment arrived on Sunday 23rd July.

“During a preliminary interview with the suspect, he confessed he started the illicit trade three years ago and has been selling to patrons of clubs and lounges in Lekki and Lagos Island, some of which he identified as Quilox, Silver Fox, DNA and Hot box. Oseni said besides the drug business, he also organises shows for artistes around Lagos and outside Nigeria.

“A total of ten (10) parcels of Colorado weighing 2.50kg concealed inside large tins of coffee and duvets linked to Oseni were intercepted by NDLEA operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja. During a follow-up search of his residence, operatives recovered some quantities of the same substance, a digital weighing scale and other paraphernalia.

“An Ikoyi-based businessman, Nnadi Kingsley Ikenna also linked to the shipment was away in South Africa when the consignment arrived. While operatives maintained surveillance around his 18 Okotie Eboh Close, Ikoyi residence, they also set their dragnet for him at the airport.

“He eventually arrived in the waiting arms of NDLEA officers on Thursday 27th July when he returned to the country on a Kenya Airlines flight at the Lagos airport. Kingsley, in his statement, accepted ownership of a part of the consignment.”

In another development, Babafemi said NDLEA operatives arrested a 62-year-old grandfather and one Chimezie Onyenjuru, with 49.415kg of cannabis sativa, 127.7 grams of methamphetamine, and 15 grams of cocaine during a raid operation on July 28 in Ihila LGA of Anambra state.

The NDLEA spokesperson said two suspects identified as Abdulrazak Bala and Lawal Salisu were arrested with 156,380 pills of Tramadol along the Gwagwalada-Abaji road in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Saturday.

He added that Buba Marwa, NDLEA chairman, charged operatives of the agency “to remain undaunted by the various machinations of drug cartels and barons who are daily frustrated and desperate due to the continued heat on them and their criminal trade.”