NDLEA arrests 3,478 drug traffickers, kingpin

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested 3,478 people in the last five months over drug-related offences.

The agency said it also apprehended a suspected drug kingpin, Chukwunwendu Ikejiakwu, aka Blessed, after 13 months of “high level surveillance.”

The NDLEA explained that Ikejiakwu led an international drug trafficking organisation that recruited and sponsored drug couriers to China, Malaysia, Turkey and Italy.

The Chairman, NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, stated this on Friday in Abuja during the inauguration of the National Drug Control Master Plan 2015-2019.

According to him, the arrests were in addition to the discovery of cannabis farms measuring about 126.721 hectares and three laboratories, bringing the total number of laboratories uncovered in Lagos and Anambra states from 2011 till date to 10.

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Giade said, “Between January and May 2015, the agency arrested 3,478 drug suspects and seized 170,341.704 kilogrammes of narcotic drugs. The drugs are cannabis (167,461.826 kg), cocaine (103,848 kg), heroin (17.976 kg) and psychotropic substances (2,619.195 kg.)

“The agency also discovered cannabis farms measuring 126.721 hectares. A total of 783 cases have so far been won in court.

“NDLEA just apprehended a suspected drug kingpin after 13 months of high level surveillance. The suspect, Mr. Chukwunwendu Ikejiakwu, aka Blessed, was found to be the brain behind three clandestine laboratories and a leader of an international drug trafficking organisation that recruits and sponsors drug couriers to China, Malaysia, Turkey and Italy.”

Giade restated the dangers of drug trafficking to public health, peace, safety, and the socioeconomic and political stability of the country, adding that about 3,403 drug dependent persons had accessed drug counseling at the NDLEA centers nationwide.

The NDLEA boss urged stakeholders to join campaign against illicit drug trafficking, abuse and join in the execution drug control programmes for people with the problem of drug abuse.

While speaking on the NDCMP, 2015-2019, and the 2015 World Drug report, as well as the 2014 International Narcotics Control Board report, the Director-General of the National Agency For Food and Drug Administration and Control, Dr. Paul Orhii, represented by the Director of Human Resource Management in NAFDAC, Mrs.Yetunde Oni, said it was to ensure availability of controlled substances exclusively for medical and scientific purposes, while preventing their diversion.

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