NDLEA Arrests US-Based Grandma With 9.45kg Cannabis At Lagos Airport, Physically Challenged Woman In Delta

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested a 62-year-old Nigerian-American grandmother, Anetor Gloria Ubong, with 9.45 kilogrammes of high-grade cannabis, popularly known as loud, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

The agency also arrested a physically challenged 46-year-old woman, Helen Bakporo Samson, with six kilogrammes of cannabis in Warri, Delta State, as part of a series of nationwide operations targeting drug trafficking and the distribution of illicit substances.

The arrests, according to the NDLEA, were among several enforcement operations that resulted in the seizure of large quantities of cannabis, pharmaceutical opioids and other controlled substances across different states.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, Ubong was arrested on Wednesday, October 21, after arriving in Lagos aboard a United Airlines flight from Houston, United States.

The 62-year-old realtor, who reportedly resides in Richmond, Texas, and holds Nigerian and United States passports, was allegedly found with 9.45kg of loud concealed in one of her two checked-in suitcases.

The NDLEA said a search of the luggage uncovered 18 parcels of the substance hidden inside a box and covered with gift-wrapping paper.

During questioning, Ubong reportedly claimed that her daughter and the daughter’s future brother-in-law had delivered the box to her residence in the United States for onward delivery in Nigeria to her daughter’s fiancé, identified as Jibola.

The agency’s statement did not indicate whether the daughter, the prospective brother-in-law or the intended recipient had been arrested or questioned over the alleged drug consignment.

In a separate operation, Samson was arrested at Enhere Junction, Warri, on Monday, October 19, with six kilogrammes of skunk, another form of cannabis.

The circumstances surrounding the alleged involvement of the two women were not immediately clear beyond the details provided by the agency.

The NDLEA also reported the arrest of a 51-year-old suspect, Peter Ugochukwu, in Warri, Delta State, following the recovery of a large consignment of pharmaceutical opioids.

The agency listed the seized substances as 29,350 capsules of tramadol, 6,620 tablets of 200mg tramadol, 4,116 bottles of codeine syrup, 11,340 tablets of Rohypnol, 3,500 tablets of diazepam, 300 ampoules of pentazocine injection and 200 ampoules of diazepam injection.

Other substances reportedly recovered included quantities of tramadol 225mg, Molly and Cocodamol.

According to the NDLEA, Ugochukwu was transferred to its custody by the Nigeria Police Force in Delta State alongside a white Hummer bus.

In Lagos, operatives arrested a 41-year-old suspect, Eletu Rasheedat, in the Eti Osa area on Friday, October 23.

The operation reportedly led to the recovery of 5,820 diazepam pills, 780 tramadol tablets, 3.7kg of skunk and 230.25 litres of skuchies, a locally produced alcoholic mixture associated with the misuse of psychoactive substances.

The seizures formed part of the agency’s wider campaign against the circulation of illicit drugs and the abuse of pharmaceutical products.

In Kano State, NDLEA operatives arrested a 30-year-old suspect, Murtala Lawan, in the Gerawa area on Thursday, October 22.

The agency said 159 blocks of cannabis weighing 97.2kg were recovered during the operation.

In Taraba State, operatives arrested 39-year-old Raiyanu Misa at the Lankaviri checkpoint in Yorro Local Government Area on Friday, October 23, with 95 blocks of compressed cannabis weighing 60.175kg.

On the same day, another suspect arrested at Dakka village in Bali Local Government Area was handed over to the NDLEA by the police alongside 112 blocks of compressed cannabis weighing 81.49kg.

In Niger State, 26-year-old Emmanuel Ekene was arrested along the Sabo-Kainji Road in Borgu Local Government Area on Monday, October 19, with 64,000 opioid pills, including tramadol and diazepam.

The crackdown also extended to cannabis cultivation sites in Ondo and Edo states.

In Ondo State, operatives raided a farm at Board-Ala in Akure South Local Government Area on Tuesday, October 20, following intelligence reports.

The operation reportedly led to the recovery of 56 bags of cannabis weighing 583kg.

In Edo State, the agency said two cannabis farms in Ugbada Forest, Uzebba, Owan West Local Government Area, were destroyed on Sunday, October 18.

The NDLEA estimated the potential yield of the farms at 2,023.14kg. Its operatives reportedly burnt 450kg of processed cannabis at the site and took another 97kg away as exhibits.

In a related operation at Ewe community in Owan West, a 42-year-old woman, Mary Edokhai, was arrested with 35kg of cannabis.

The discoveries highlight the scale of cannabis cultivation and distribution uncovered by the agency during its recent operations.

In Bauchi State, NDLEA operatives arrested a 45-year-old suspect, Jamilu Mustapha, also known as Last Card, at Nasaru Town in Ningi Local Government Area on Wednesday, October 21.

The operation reportedly resulted in the seizure of 379kg of cannabis packed in seven large sacks.

Meanwhile, in Oyo State, operatives arrested 41-year-old Fajana Dada Oluwaseyi in Adamasingba, Ibadan, on Monday, October 19.

The agency alleged that the suspect had previously escaped arrest after its officers seized 197.8kg of cannabis from his residence on September 16

The NDLEA said its commands had continued public sensitisation programmes under its War Against Drug Abuse campaign, including awareness lectures in schools and community institutions across several states.

The agency’s Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended the officers involved in the operations and urged them to sustain the fight against drug trafficking and substance abuse.

The latest seizures underscore the continuing challenge facing law enforcement agencies in curbing the movement of illicit drugs, the illegal distribution of pharmaceutical opioids and cannabis cultivation across Nigeria.

Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com

We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE

Platform Times is a trailblazing news website that empowers grassroots communities across Africa by delivering the latest news through engaging multimedia content. By leveraging photos, text, and videos, the site inspires concerned citizens and activists worldwide to take action against critical issues, including corruption, poverty, environmental degradation, and democratic disregard.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.