NDLEA operatives

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Thursday said it had concluded arrangements to arraign four suspected members of an international drug trafficking syndicate.

The syndicate, according to a statement issued by the agency’s spokesperson, Mr Mitchell Ofoyeju, specialised in smuggling narcotic drugs with fake security escort vehicles with siren.

“All four defendants will appear before Justice P. I. Ajoku of the Federal High Court sitting in Benin City, Edo, on Friday, Nov. 11.

“Officers attached to the Edo Command intercepted the convoy of a Ford pickup and a Toyota Tundra while conveying 34.2kg of methamphetamine from Lagos.

“The substance that tested positive for methamphetamine was concealed in cartons containing computer accessories.

“The estimated street value of the drug in Europe and Asia is about 24 million dollars,’’ he said.

Ofoyeju said it was the largest seizure of methamphetamine by the state command.

“The arrest was made along Lagos-Benin Bypass.

“The drug tested positive for methamphetamine, weighed 34.2kg and all is now set for the defendants to be arraigned in court.

“The agency is pressing a four-count charge against the defendants,’’ he said.

Ofoyeju quoted the Chairman of the Agency, Mr Muhammad Abdallah, as saying that the case would be diligently prosecuted.

He also quoted Abdallah as saying that investigation was still ongoing to establish possible links with drug trafficking organisation outside the country.

“The agency will diligently pursue this case to a logical end.

“The success of the agency in the dismantling of clandestine laboratories for methamphetamine production in the country must transcend shutting down of production cites to judicial victories.

“We shall also monitor every hint and subject every member of the suspected drug syndicate to justice.

“Nigeria’s capacity and tenacity that resulted in the discovery of eleven methamphetamine production laboratories in the past five years shall be sustained.

“The triumph over drug trafficking syndicates is a victory for all,” he said.

Abdallah, according to the statement, reiterated his call for stakeholders to support the Agency in the dismantling drug trafficking syndicates in the country. (NAN)