Abuja, July 30, 2023 -The NDLEA has arrested a Lekki-based artistes’ manager and his Ikoyi business accomplice who specialize in distributing illicit drugs at night clubs and lounges in Lekki and Island axis of Lagos State.
Femi Babafemi, NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, said this in a statement on Sunday.
He said that their arrest followed an intelligence report on a shipment of Colorado, a synthetic and strong strain of cannabis, being imported 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, July 23..
“During 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 beside 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 into 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”.
The NDLEA operatives attached to the NAHCO export shed of the MMIA also intercepted a cargo going to Nairobi, Kenya.
A search of the consignment revealed that various quantities of MDMA (Ecstasy) popularly known as ‘Molly’ and Rohypnol were concealed in a bag consisting of foodstuff.
An agent, Onydem Chinwe Florence, who presented it for export was arrested.
Also, an attempt by another suspect, Igboma Ifeanyi, to export quantities of Loud, a variant of Cannabis, Tramadol and Rohypnol all weighing 7.8kg concealed in 66 bottles of skin lightening lotion was thwarted by vigilant operatives who intercepted him while preparing to board an Ethiopian airline flight to Muscat, Oman, at the Lagos airport. (GBN)
