National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has secured the conviction of five members of international organized criminal groups (IOCG) following the seizure of 68.9 kilograms of cocaine and tramadol at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.
NDLEA spokesperson, Mr. Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja.
Babafemi said that three cartel leaders — Olasupo Michael Oladimeji, Muaezee Ademola Ogunbiyi, and Sola Adegoke — were arrested on Aug. 26 at the MMIA export shed while attempting to smuggle 17.9kg of cocaine concealed in textile materials and charms to Sydney, Australia.
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“Further investigation led to the recovery of 20.5kg of Canadian Loud from Ogunbiyi’s residence in Lekki and a black Range Rover SUV from Adegoke’s home in Ikeja GRA,” Babafemi said.
He said the trio were arraigned on Oct. 30 before Justice Musa Kakaki of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on five counts of drug trafficking and related offences.
“They pleaded guilty and were sentenced on Oct. 31 to five years imprisonment each without the option of fine,” he said
Babafemi added that the court also ordered the forfeiture of the Range Rover SUV and a Toyota Venza car recovered during the investigation to the Federal Government.
In a related development, Babafemi said two kingpins of another syndicate — Obunike Joseph Obichukwu and Uzorchukwu Godspower Chukwurah — were arrested on July 19 while attempting to export 2.6kg of cocaine and 27.9kg of tramadol concealed in motor spare parts to Gabon.
He said the duo were arraigned on Nov. 4 before Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of the Federal High Court, Lagos, and pleaded guilty to six counts.
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“They were sentenced to three years imprisonment each or payment of N2 million fine in lieu of jail,” Babafemi said.
He said the N4 million offered by Obunike as bribe to NDLEA officers was also ordered forfeited to the Federal Government.
Babafemi reiterated the agency’s commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks and ensuring justice is served.
