Three major illicit drug syndicates were taken down by operatives of a special unit of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), in an intelligence-led operations across parts of Lagos state, leading to the arrest of a baroness and four other kingpins with multi-billionaire worth of Cocaine, Opioids and others recovered from their hideouts.
A female head of one of the syndicates, Faith Ebele Nwankwo was arrested on Wednesday 9th August, at her residence, House 6, C close, 3rd Avenue, FESTAC area of Lagos shortly after she returned from a warehouse at Plot 3432 Sola Akinsola Street, Divine Estate, Amuwo Odofin where she loaded eight cartons of tramadol 225mg into an unmarked white Honda Pilot SUV.
A statement issued by Femi Babafemi, NDLEA, Director, Media and Advocacy, yesterday in Abuja said a search of her residence and the warehouse led to the recovery of 2,750,000 pills of Tramaking, a brand of Tramadol 225mg and 250mg, packed in 39 cartons weighing 1,916 kilograms. The drugs and the SUV were recovered while the suspect was taken into custody.
Also, according to the statement, on Saturday 5th August, operatives of the Special Unit went after another syndicate involved in importation, distribution and diversion of ephedrine hydrochloride, a precursor chemical used for the production of methamphetamine, following intelligence that members of the cartel were planning to divert 25 kilograms of the substance.
