NDLEA arrests ‘wanted drug dealer’ in Abia

April 21, 2021 8:20 pm

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested one Chibuike Apolos, alleged to be a wanted supplier of illicit drugs in Abia state.

Femi Babafemi, the agency’s spokesman, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

Babafemi said Apolos was arrested on Wednesday during an early morning raid of his hideout in Isialangwa area of the state, with over 100kg of illicit drugs in his possession.

He also said the suspect is a major supplier of illicit drugs who has been on the agency’s wanted list since February.

“Following his arrest in the early hours of Wednesday, the Abia government has already marked his house that serves as his hideout for demolition,” Babafemi said.

“The command in Abia has been on his trail since February. Fortunately, we got a tip-off that he just received some quantities of cannabis from Edo.

“Notwithstanding the tense security situation in the south-east, especially Abia, the command still embarked on the operations which culminated in the arrest of Apolos.

“He was found with 10 bags of cannabis weighing 100kg, 1.6 grammes of cocaine, one gramme of heroin and five grammes of methamphetamine.

“The suspect is one of the major suppliers of illicit drugs in Abia especially in the Isialangwa communities. The state governor has been notified and his building has been marked for demolition.”

In a related development, the NDLEA command in Taraba arrested 61-year-old Lawan Gambo Umar for trafficking 58.50kg of cannabis.

Buba Marwa, NDLEA chairman, commended the Abia and Taraba commands of the agency for the seizures and arrests.

He also urged them to sustain their efforts to rid the country of illicit substances.

“No doubt, the volume that has been seized in these two operations is less the kilogramme meant for our towns and communities,” Marwa said.

“I therefore, urge our officers and men across all the commands all over the country to continue to smoke all the elements involved in this criminal trade out of their hiding places.”