Crimes

NDLEA arrests Lagos drug kingpin, 6 others, recovers 5,862kg drugs

A major drug kingpin operating a notorious drug haven in the Lagos Island area of Lagos State, Mrs. Sherifat Kehinde Lawal, has been arrested along with six other suspects by the operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in a raid on Saturday.

The NDLEA operatives also recovered 5,862 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs including Loud and Codeine.

The Agency spokesman, Femi Babafemi, in a statement on Saturday disclosed that the suspects were arrested following credible intelligence and follow up surveillance on illicit drug dealing in Osho, Gambari, and Beecroft Streets, Patey Area of Lagos Island.

Babafemi added that the anti-narcotic officers stormed the Gambari street base of the drug kingpin where they arrested her and six of her accomplices at about 9:30am.

The NDLEA spokesman stated that other members of the cartel operating in the axis mobilised hoodlums who attacked the operatives with stones, bottles and guns in a bid to prevent the officers from arresting other kingpins marked for arrest as well as taking the suspects already nabbed and drug exhibits away.

He noted that the anti-drug operatives were able to defend themselves, took the suspects and exhibits away.

Other suspects in custody with Mrs. Lawal include Ahmed Yisau, Solomon Alape, Olayemi Akinola, Salami Qudus, Bakare Rafiu, Rose Samson, Yusuf Rofiat, and Chukwudi Egon.

Reacting to the development, the NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), commended the operatives of the Lagos Command of the Agency for the successful operation.

He warned those being used by drug cartels to obstruct or attack anti-narcotic officers in the course of doing their work to desist or face dire consequences.

TheStar