Charles Chinedu Ezeh, someone described as a ‘reputed drug lord’, and two other people have been detained by agents of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
They have been linked to a sizable shipment of methamphetamine.
According to the agency, the drugs were discovered and seized at the SAHCO export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.
You see, Drug abuse has been a significant issue for the entire world.
Due to the large number of teenagers and young people participating, Nigeria in particular has struggled to eradicate the problem.
This seizure is one of such efforts to eradicate the use of hard drugs.
Nwobodo Chidiebere, a freight agent, and Chioma Lucy Akuta, a female suspect, were the other two people detained.
The anti-drug agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, announced the arrest and seizure in a statement on Sunday.
NDLEA Intercepts UK-Bound Narcotic
The shipment, according to Babafemi, was hidden in containers carrying powdered custard. Also, he said it was being sent to London, United Kingdom.
The illicit narcotics shipment, which weighed 30.10 kg and had a street value of 567 million Naira.
Furthermore, the narcotics were reportedly discovered and seized by NDLEA agents at the airport on May 16.
The statement reads: “Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have intercepted a large consignment of methamphetamine concealed in powdered custard containers as part of a consolidated cargo going to London, United Kingdom at the SAHCO export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos.
“The illicit drug consignment weighing 30.10 kilograms with a street value of 567 million Naira was detected and seized by NDLEA operatives at the airport on Tuesday 16 May.
The Arrest Of The Drug Baron
“This was swiftly followed by a series of follow-up operations that led to the arrest of a freight agent, Nwobodo Chidiebere; a female suspect, Chioma Lucy Akuta and ultimately the drug lord behind the shipment, Charles Chinedu Ezeh, who was arrested at Sotel Suites, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos on Thursday, 18th May.
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According the NDLEA, Ezeh claims he is a businessman and deals in articles in Onitsha, Anambra State.
However, investigations revealed that he lived with his wife and children in London until 10th December 2022.
The agency said he had fled to Nigeria after his involvement in a drug-related offence in the UK.
“Though he claimed to have been living in hotels since his return to Nigeria last December, operatives were, however, able to locate his mansion at No. 1 Hawawu Abikan Street, Lekki, on Friday, 19th May.”
According to the anti-drug agency, a search was conducted and his travel and property documents among others were recovered.
