NDLEA’s Ongoing Crackdown on Drug Trafficking in Nigeria: Lagos Businessman’s Arrest
The NDLEA arrested businessman Arokodare Damil Ebenezer for importing 60 parcels of cannabis from the U.S. Additional raids led to arrests and significant seizures of drugs, including tramadol and skunk, showcasing the agency’s heightened efforts against drug trafficking in Nigeria.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested Arokodare Damil Ebenezer, a businessman from Lagos and the owner of Damillionz Takeout, for importing 60 parcels of a potent cannabis strain, known as Loud, from the United States. The arrest occurred at Bay Lounge in Lekki, where the 43-year-old was allegedly awaiting this latest shipment.
NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi reported that Ebenezer was apprehended after operatives from the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation intercepted his cargo, consisting of seven large cartons, at a logistics company in Lagos on March 12. A subsequent search of his home revealed an additional 94 grams of Loud, a cannabis crusher, and various drug paraphernalia, leading to a total confiscation of 32.24 kilograms of the substance.
Ebenezer has reportedly admitted to drug trafficking activities that began in 2017. In a separate incident, NDLEA operatives at Murtala Muhammed International Airport arrested Omoruyi Terry, a businessman trying to smuggle 1,400 tramadol pills weighing 800 grams to Italy, having intercepted him at Terminal 2.
Furthermore, four individuals were arrested during a raid in Katsina’s Godai village, where operatives seized 684 blocks of compressed skunk (423 kilograms) and 86,000 diazepam pills. Simultaneously, NDLEA operatives destroyed 13,198 kilograms of cannabis sativa across Edo forests, recovering 158 kilograms for prosecution and eliminating four plantations in multiple locations.
Additional significant seizures include 179 blocks of compressed skunk totaling 77.6 kilograms in Niger state, and 108.5 kilograms of skunk in Enugu. This series of incidents highlights the recent surge in drug-related arrests and seizures conducted by the NDLEA, including prior operations involving attempts to export cocaine and a crackdown on a drug trafficking syndicate in Anambra state.
The recent arrests made by the NDLEA demonstrate a robust response to drug trafficking activities in Nigeria. The apprehension of Arokodare Damil Ebenezer for importing marijuana, along with other significant drug seizures, highlights the agency’s commitment to disrupting illegal drug operations. These ongoing efforts underscore the increasing vigilance of law enforcement in the fight against drug trafficking.
Original Source: nairametrics.com
