NDLEA arrests pregnant woman, student ‘with illicit drugs’ in Edo, Ogun

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has arrested one Rabetu Abdulrasak, a 24-year-old pregnant woman, and one Shehu Adams, a physically challenged person, for being in possession of illicit drugs in Edo.

In a statement on Sunday, Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesperson, said the suspects were arrested on Saturday in Agbede, Etsako west LGA of the state.

Babafemi said they were carrying over 14 kilogrammes of illicit drugs including cannabis, methamphetamine, tramadol, and swinol.

He also said the agency arrested a 22-year-old female student of the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun state, for dealing in illicit drugs.

“Consignments of tramadol, rohypnol, ecstasy (designer drug), and cannabis concealed in winter jackets and bottles of body cream have been intercepted by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos,” the statement reads.

“The psychoactive substances were recovered at the new terminal of the airport on Friday 14th April following the arrest of a passenger, Joshia Sunday who was traveling on a Qatar Airline flight via Doha to Oman, Middle East.

“A thorough search of the suspect’s two black bags led to the discovery of 4.80 kilograms of cannabis concealed in three winter jackets and various quantities of tramadol, rohypnol, esstasy (designer drug) hidden in bottles of body lotion.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect came into Nigeria from Oman on April 7, and was returning exactly a week after.

“In the same vein, a Lekki Lagos-based businessman, Cyril Chidiebere was on Friday 14th April arrested along with two of his freight agents: Mejabi Peter Sunday and Oyeyinka Babatunde over their involvement in the importation of twelve (12) parcels of Loud, a strain of cannabis, weighing 6.50kg, which was part of a consolidated cargo brought in from the United States of America.

“The arrest and seizure followed a three-day intelligence-led operation. Following the arrival of the cargo at the NAHCO import shed of the MMIA, its movement out of the airport was closely monitored in a sting operation until the actual importer, Cyril Chidiebere, was arrested in his house at Abraham Adesanya estate, Ajah, Lekki area of Lagos.

“Both Mejabi and Chidiebere have made useful statements to confirm that the latter has been involved in dealing with illicit drugs in the past.

“Meanwhile, a pregnant woman, Rabetu Abdulrasak, 24, and a cripple, Shehu Adams have been arrested by NDLEA operatives in Agbede, Etsako West LGA, Edo state while over 14 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs including cannabis, methamphetamine, tramadol, and swinol were recovered from them on Saturday 15th April.

“A 22-year-old HND 1 female student of Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun state, Isoyo Iveren Susan was on Saturday 15th April arrested opposite 2nd Gate of the institution for dealing in illicit drugs.

“Recovered from her include 1,100ML of codeine-based cough syrup and 283 grams of cannabis. This is just as operatives in Lagos arrested two suspects: Nonso Peter, 21, and Bright Chibike, 23, with 43.4kg cannabis at Ile-Epo, Abule Egba area of the state on Friday 14th April.”

The statement added that not less than 1,730 bottles of codeine-based syrup were seized from a suspect, Bishir Sa’adu in Katsina on April 9, and one Muhamadu Yusuf who was arrested the same day with 8,000 capsules of tramadol.

Also in Kaduna, NDLEA operatives raided a clandestine laboratory where mist potassium citrate was being produced in a residential apartment at 16 Sabon Gari, Zaria.

Christopher Agodi, the owner of the lab, was arrested and 102 cartons containing 2,448 bottles of the substance were recovered.