By Joke Kujenya
IN A FRESH crackdown on drug cartels, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has pinched a notorious cocaine cartel operating from India, leading to the arrest of four syndicate members and the seizure of significant assets linked to the group.
Namely, Kazeem Omogoriola Owoalade, alias Abdul Qassim Adisa Balogun, and his partner, Rashidat Ayinke Owoalade, alias Bolarinwa Rashidat Ayinke, have all been declared wanted by the agency.
The crackdown began with the April 3rd arrest of Imran Taofeek Olalekan and Ishola Isiaka Olalekan at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
The duo was apprehended while attempting to smuggle 3.40 kg of cocaine on a Qatar Airlines flight to Oman.
Further investigation revealed that Imran was recruited by Ishola on behalf of the cartel’s leader, Kazeem, who resides in India under the alias Abdul Qassim Adisa Balogun.
Five weeks of surveillance culminated in the May 14th arrest of another syndicate member, Hamed Abimbola Saheed, in the Abule Egba area of Lagos.
Saheed had facilitated Imran’s lodging and transport prior to his failed attempt to export the cocaine.
During a search of Saheed’s residence, NDLEA operatives discovered 900 grams of phenacetine, a cocaine cutting agent. Saheed admitted that this was part of the consignment Imran was carrying.
A subsequent operation led to the discovery of more evidence at the Owoalade couple’s home on 20 Eyiaro Street, Ogudu Orioke, Lagos.
Authorities arrested another suspect, seized a new Toyota RAV4 SUV registered to Rashidat, and recovered 400 grams of cocaine, digital weighing scales, and prepared suitcases intended for drug concealment.
In related operations, NDLEA officers intercepted two parcels containing cocaine and amphetamine at a courier firm in Lagos.
The drugs were concealed in steel bolts and shea butter, destined for China and the United Kingdom, respectively.
Meanwhile, in Port Harcourt, an attempt by Emeka Nwadiaro (a.k.a Mega) to export 3.6 kg of “Loud” cannabis to Dubai was thwarted, leading to his arrest in Onitsha, Anambra State.
Further enforcement actions across Nigeria included the interception of a Mercedes Benz bus with 840 kg of cannabis in Lagos, the arrest of Lawal Adam with 75,000 opioid pills in Benue, and the capture of two suspects with 3.85 kg of “Loud” cannabis concealed in a gas cylinder in Imo.
Additionally, a 70-year-old man was arrested in Borno with 2 kg of cannabis and 33.55 grams of diazepam, and a significant seizure of 91.1 kg of opioids and 13 kg of cannabis from a petrol tanker in Yobe resulted in the driver’s arrest.
In Niger State, four suspects were detained in connection with 2,025 pieces of improvised explosive devices (IED) materials found in a Toyota Hummer bus.
The NDLEA also seized 1,000 ampoules of Pentazocine injection in Katsina and 105 kg of cannabis in Edo. Arrests continued in Kwara, with two suspects apprehended with 83 kg of cannabis and tramadol.
These operations highlight the NDLEA’s commitment to dismantling drug networks and reducing drug supply. Chairman/Chief Executive Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) commended the agency’s officers for their relentless efforts and emphasized the importance of ongoing advocacy through the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign.
This initiative includes educational outreach to schools across Nigeria, aiming to reduce drug demand and foster a drug-free society.
This is very wicked, importing and exporting hard drugs to destroy fellow humans’ life.
I pray they face the true wrath of the law and not pay their way out of this…
It is truly so sad and unfortunate to see several people, in the bid to live good lives, that’s if they’re really such, bent on destroying other human lives for their selfish ends. It serves this couple right. But the question is, will others learn and desist from their wicked ways? Only GOD can tell. Thank you for reading us.