In a renewed effort to clamp down on transnational drug cartels, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a Thailand returnee, Oguejiofor Nnaemeka Simonpeter, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos. The arrest was made on October 7, 2024, after Simonpeter attempted to smuggle 13.30 kilograms of heroin, concealed in six backpacks, into Nigeria. The heroin, valued at over N3.1 billion, was packed into two large suitcases.
Simonpeter, a 29-year-old Mechanical Engineering graduate from Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University in Uli, Anambra State, had traveled from Thailand to Lagos via a Qatar Airways flight on October 3. He stopped over in Doha for two days before arriving in Lagos on October 5. His luggage, however, was routed to Accra, Ghana, his original destination. In an attempt to bypass airport security, Simonpeter contacted the airline to have his bags rerouted to Lagos. Despite this maneuver, NDLEA officers intercepted him at the airport’s exit. Upon searching his two suitcases, they discovered three empty backpacks in each suitcase with heroin meticulously sewn into the fabric of the bags.
The Arrest and Smuggling Attempt
According to Simonpeter’s statement, he was hired for a fee of $7,000 to transport the heroin. He was instructed to deliver two parcels in Lagos and the remaining four in Accra, Ghana. The arrest highlights the sophisticated methods drug smugglers employ to evade detection, including the strategic use of rush bags and international stopovers. NDLEA operatives, however, thwarted the smuggling attempt due to their vigilance and intelligence gathering.
This arrest is part of NDLEA’s broader mission to curb the trafficking of narcotics through Nigeria’s international borders. The agency has maintained a strong presence at the country’s major entry and exit points, especially at airports and seaports, to ensure that illicit drugs do not enter the country undetected. Simonpeter’s arrest is a testament to the agency’s effectiveness in disrupting the operations of international drug cartels.
Massive Opioid Seizure at Nigerian Seaports
In a related development, NDLEA operatives have intercepted massive consignments of opioids at three major seaports: Lekki Deep Seaport, Apapa Seaport in Lagos, and Port Harcourt Port Complex in Rivers State. The seizures, which occurred between October 7 and October 11, 2024, involved over 32.6 million pills of tramadol and 1.45 million bottles of codeine-based syrup, with a combined street value exceeding N22.7 billion. The operation was conducted in collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies.
The tramadol pills, valued at N12.57 billion, and the codeine-based syrups, worth N10.16 billion, were discovered in containers that had been flagged by NDLEA based on intelligence reports. The containers were subjected to a 100% joint examination by NDLEA and Customs officials. These seizures mark a significant victory in Nigeria’s ongoing war against drug abuse and trafficking, as opioids like tramadol and codeine have fueled a growing addiction crisis in the country.
NDLEA’s Ongoing War Against Drug Trafficking
The combined value of the heroin seized at MMIA and the opioids intercepted at the seaports demonstrates the scale and financial stakes of the drug trade in Nigeria. NDLEA’s efforts to disrupt these networks have been critical in preventing the widespread distribution of these dangerous substances. The agency’s operations, which are based on a combination of intelligence gathering and strategic enforcement, continue to yield significant results in the fight against drug trafficking.
These recent seizures underscore the need for continued vigilance at Nigeria’s entry points, including airports and seaports, where drug traffickers attempt to smuggle illicit substances. The NDLEA remains committed to its mission of safeguarding the country from the threats posed by drug abuse and trafficking, ensuring that individuals like Simonpeter and the masterminds behind these large consignments are brought to justice. The agency’s successes in this regard serve as a deterrent to future drug trafficking operations.
NDLEA Seizes Over 1,160kg of Drugs in Anambra and Edo State Operations
In a continued crackdown on drug trafficking, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) achieved significant arrests and seizures in Anambra and Edo States. On Saturday, 12th October, NDLEA operatives in Anambra State arrested Okelue Chidera, a 29-year-old suspect, found with 50,000 tablets of Tramadol (200mg) at Upper Iweka, Onitsha. This operation highlights the agency’s relentless efforts to combat the distribution of illicit substances in the region.
Meanwhile, in Edo State, NDLEA agents raided a cannabis transit and loading point at Aviose, located in Owan West Local Government Area. During the raid, they recovered 70 bags of cannabis, weighing a total of 1,050kg. Another successful operation took place in Owan Village, Ovia North East LGA, where officers arrested Monday Akele, 38, and seized an additional 110kg of cannabis. These operations reflect NDLEA’s commitment to disrupting the supply chain of psychoactive substances in Nigeria.
WADA Campaign: Raising Drug Awareness in Schools and Communities Nationwide
In parallel with its enforcement operations, the NDLEA continues its nationwide War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, which aims to educate communities, schools, and workplaces about the dangers of drug abuse. Over the past week, the agency organized several sensitization activities, engaging students and staff at various educational institutions across the country. These include Sacred Heart Girls International Secondary School in Calabar, Cross River, and Methodist Girls High School in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom, among others.
The WADA campaign extended to a wide range of institutions, such as Joy Primary and Secondary School in Benin City, Edo State, and Model Secondary School in Maitama, Abuja. Through these efforts, NDLEA seeks to foster a drug-free culture among Nigeria’s youth and broader communities. Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised the officers involved in these activities, emphasizing that both the drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts are key to the agency’s success in combating drug abuse across the nation.
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