The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has made significant breakthroughs in its operations, seizing a total of 4,560 kilograms of skunk in Lagos, Adamawa, and Osun states. The agency also conducted a successful raid on a skucchies factory in Ogun state, resulting in the arrest of four individuals, including two church officials, a female courier company staff, and another lady involved in trafficking the lethal opioid, fentanyl, in Delta state.
The arrest of the fentanyl cartel, operating from Warri, Delta state, comes shortly after the apprehension of two members of another syndicate in Anambra state. Fentanyl, a highly potent opioid responsible for a significant number of overdose deaths, has been a major contributor to fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the United States.
Among the recent arrests, two officials of Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministries in Warri, Delta state, were linked to intercepted consignments of the illicit drug. Additionally, two female accomplices, one employed by United Parcel Services (UPS) and the other a business associate of one of the church officials, were apprehended.
In separate operations, NDLEA operatives intercepted a vehicle in Adamawa state, revealing hidden compressed cannabis sativa concealed within Indomie Noodles packs. In Lagos, a suspect was caught transporting a large quantity of skunk, while in Osun state, an abandoned vehicle containing bags of fresh pepper concealing cannabis sativa was discovered.
Furthermore, a skucchies factory was raided in Ogun state, leading to the arrest of a suspect and the seizure of various exhibits, including cannabis, skucchies, codeine, freezers, generators, and gas cylinders.
Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, commended the officers involved in tracking the fentanyl opioid syndicate and applauded their counterparts in Adamawa, Lagos, Osun, and Ogun for their recent arrests and seizures. He urged NDLEA officers nationwide to remain focused on the goal of eradicating substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the country