Crimes

NDLEA arrests alleged drug baron at Abuja airport

The operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested an alleged drug baron, Udemezue William, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja on his return from Brazil.

The NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this via a statement issued on Tuesday.

Babafemi revealed that William’s arrest was with the support of the Nigeria Immigration Service which followed the earlier arrest of some drug couriers linked to him as their sponsor.

According to him, those earlier arrested include two mules, Messrs Adolphus Okeke and Anayo Nnanna.

The NDLEA spokesperson said Okeke, a 52-year-old father of four, who claimed to be a businessman, was arrested at the Abuja airport by the anti-narcotic operatives with 20.75 kilogrammes of black liquid cocaine on Tuesday, March 15 upon his arrival onboard Qatar Airways flight from Sao Paulo, Brazil through Doha, Qatar to Abuja.

READ ALSO: NDLEA blocks N217m, seizes 6 houses, declares Lagos socialite wanted

He noted that the liquid was discovered upon search of his luggage stuffed with six smaller bags containing 32-makeup mascara, which tested positive for cocaine.

Babafemi stated that Nnanna, a 39-year-old Brazilian returnee, was arrested at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Rivers State during the inward screening of passengers on board Qatar Airline flight QR1433 from Sao Paulo, Brazil via Doha to Port Harcourt on Tuesday, March 29.

The NDLEA spokesman disclosed that Nnanna was arrested with 73 sachets weighing 8.15 kilogrammes of cocaine, which is the largest seizure of such at the airport since it began international flight operations years ago.

He said further investigations of the two traffickers revealed Udemezue William as the drug baron behind the cocaine cartel, and as a result, he was watch-listed and arrested upon his return from Brazil last Friday.

In his reaction, the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd), commended the officers of the anti-drug agency involved in the clinical investigation that led to the unmasking of the two barons.

Marwa said gone were the days when drug kingpins can hide behind traffickers and remain faceless, warning that the new NDLEA will continue to unravel them one after the other if they fail to back out of the criminal trade.

The Star

Segun Ojo

Recent Posts

Tinubu approves N10bn emergency fund for ebola preparedness

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the release of N10 billion in emergency funding to…

6 hours ago

Atiku backed rotational presidency after June 12 annulment — Akume

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, has revealed that former…

7 hours ago

Kwankwaso opens door to reconciliation with Yusuf

Former Kano State Governor and leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has expressed…

7 hours ago

Umahi gives Abuja-Lokoja road contractors 72-hour deadline to resume work

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to contractors handling the…

8 hours ago

Real Madrid sack Arbeloa, set to appoint Mourinho as new coach

Real Madrid have terminated the appointment of Alvaro Arbeloa as the club’s head coach. The…

9 hours ago

NUPRC fixes June 12 deadline for 2025 oil block bid submissions

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has announced Friday, June 12, 2026, as the…

9 hours ago

This website uses cookies.