NDLEA arrests South African, two Nigerians with N163m worth of drugs

Officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Tuesday arrested three suspected members of a drug syndicate with 18.2kgs of drugs valued at N163 million.

The suspects were arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) Abuja.

They include a South African, Sipho Mitshali, 31, found in possession of 4kg of Ephedrine and 8kg of Methamphetamine on his way to Johannesburg. Two Nigerians, Ifeagwu Osita and Obiabumuo Augustine Ikechukwu were also arrested for attempting to smuggle 4.7kg and 1.5kg of cocaine.

According to Roli Bode-George, acting chairman of NDLEA, efforts are ongoing to consolidate on operational gains by the agency.

“The NDLEA is working hard towards making the country impenetrable to drug barons. We are also tightening the noose on drug trafficking syndicates to sustain the gains recorded in arrests of drug barons and seizure of drugs. There is a systematic plan of action to dislodge drug syndicates and ultimately eradicate illicit drugs from our society,” she said.

The NDLEA boss also called for support from Nigerians against drug barons whom she described as enemies of the society.

Hamisu Lawan, NDLEA commander at the Abuja airport, said the three suspects were under investigation.

“The South African, Sipho Mitshali was caught smuggling 4kg of Ephedrine and 8kg of methamphetamine to South Africa through Addis Ababa. Ifeagwu Osita imported 263 pellets of cocaine weighing 4.7kg from Dubai while Obiabumuo Augustine Ikechukwu was apprehended while attempting to export 1.5kg of cocaine to Switzerland through Frankfurt. The cases are being investigated”.

The arrest of Sipho Mitshali who is a Zulu by tribe from Lehae, Lenasia a suburb of Johannesburg with Ephedrine and Methamphetamine to South Africa further validates the growing demand of Ephedrine and Methamphetamine in South Africa.

The NDLEA recently nabbed a suspected drug baron, Tochukwu Harris Ubah with 310kgs of ephedrine and 266kg of methamphetamine valued at N4.6 billion hidden inside noodles, cereals and palm oil being smuggled to South Africa.