Crimes

NDLEA arrests artistes’ manager, businessman for drug dealing

The operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a Lekki-based artistes’ manager, Oseni Abdulraheem Ayodeji Babatunde, well known as Papalampa, and his Ikoyi businessman accomplice who specialise in distributing illicit drugs to fun seekers at VIP night clubs and lounges in Lekki and Island axis of Lagos State.

The NDLEA Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, made the disclosure in a statement issued on Sunday, July 30, 2023.

Babafemi noted that the suspects’ arrest followed an intelligence about a shipment of Colorado, a synthetic strong strain of cannabis, coming for them from Los Angeles, United States.

He stated that the artistes’ manager was the first arrested in his house at No. 3 Ope Daniel Taiwo Street, off Chisco Bus-Stop in the Lekki area of Lagos when the consignment arrived on Sunday, July 23, 2023.

The NDLEA spokesman said Papalampa, during preliminary interview, 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 Hotbox.

Babafemi added that the suspect confessed that beside the drug business, he also organises shows for artistes around Lagos and outside Nigeria.

He noted that 10 parcels of Colorado weighing 2.50kg concealed inside large tins of coffee and duvets linked to Oseni were intercepted by the NDLEA operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos State.

He added: “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.”

Speaking on the incident, the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), commended the anti-narcotics officers for their resilience and commitment.

Marwa also charged them and their counterparts across the country to remain undaunted by the various machinations of drug cartels and barons “who are daily frustrated and desperate due to the continued heat on them and their criminal trade”.

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The Star