NDLEA has arrested an artistes’ manager and his businessman accomplice who specialise in distributing illicit drugs to fun seekers at VIP nightclubs and lounges in Lekki and Island axis of Lagos state.
Its Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi announced the arrests in a statement he issued on Sunday in Abuja.
Babafemi stated that the arrests followed an intelligence report that the suspects were expecting a shipment of “Colorado’’, a strong strain of synthetic Indian hemp from Los Angeles, United States of America.
He stated that one Abdulraheem Oseni (aka Papalampa) was the first to be arrested at his residence in Lekki area of Lagos State when the “Colorado’’ consignment arrived on Sunday, July 23.
He added that the suspect told investigators that he started the illicit trade three years ago.
“The suspect said that he has been selling to patrons of clubs and lounges in Lekki and Lagos Island.
“Oseni said beside the drug business, he also organises shows for artistes around Lagos and outside Nigeria,’’ Babafemi stated.
He added that 10 parcels of “Colorado’’ weighing 2.5kg and intercepted by NDLEA operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, were linked to Oseni.
The illicit drugs were concealed inside large tins of coffee and duvets, Babafemi stated.
He added that NDLEA operatives recovered some quantities of “Colorado’’, a digital weighing scale and other paraphernalia during a follow-up search at Oseni’s residence.
“An Ikoyi, Lagos-based businessman, Nnadi Kingsley Ikenna also linked to the shipment was away in South Africa when the consignment arrived.
“While operatives maintained surveillance around Ikenna’s Ikoyi residence, they also set their dragnet for him at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja.
“He eventually arrived into the waiting arms of NDLEA officers on Thursday, July 27 when he returned to Nigeria on a Kenya Airlines flight.
“Ikenna, in his statement accepted ownership of a part of the consignment,’’ Babafemi stated.