In a significant crackdown on drug peddling, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have apprehended a 20-year-old hair stylist, Josephine Odunu, and a 30-year-old dispatch rider, Edesemi Ikporo. The duo stands accused of selling and distributing illicit drug-laced chin-chin to school students and at social gatherings in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state.
The operation unfolded when NDLEA officers on patrol in the Opolo area of Yenagoa intercepted Edesemi Ikporo on Sunday, March 10th, 2024. Upon searching the dispatch rider, they recovered 200 grams of chin-chin infused with cannabis sativa, intended for delivery to a buyer.
Following this intercept, a swift follow-up operation led to the arrest of Josephine Odunu, who reportedly distributed the drugged chin-chin from a salon where she worked in the Kpansia area of Yenagoa. A subsequent search of the salon resulted in the recovery of an additional 3.00 kilograms of the illicit substance, bringing the total seized from the duo to 3.2 kilograms.
Investigations revealed that the duo targeted students and attendees of social events, often lacing the chin-chin with cannabis and tramadol. While Edesemi Ikporo handled the delivery to buyers, Josephine Odunu served as a major distributor to a wanted suspect involved in the production of the drugged snack.
In parallel operations across the country, NDLEA operatives made significant strides in combating drug trafficking. In Adamawa state, two wanted suspects, Ajim Samuel (aka Boss) and Davidson John Joshua (aka Dantala), were apprehended while transporting a large consignment of tramadol pills from Onitsha, Anambra state. Additionally, a commercial bus driver, Ogunleye Adegoke, was arrested in Osun state with a cache of tramadol, rohypnol, and codeine syrup concealed in his vehicle.
Furthermore, significant quantities of opioids and cannabis were seized in various states, including Bauchi, Ogun, and Kano. NDLEA’s relentless efforts extended to destroying cannabis plantations in Edo state and seizing cannabis from a warehouse in Nasarawa state. Amidst these operations, NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaign nationwide. Various commands of the agency conducted sensitization lectures for students, teachers, and community leaders, reinforcing the importance of drug demand reduction efforts alongside supply reduction strategies.
Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, commended the officers and commands involved for their exceptional achievements in the past week. He applauded their dedication to both supply reduction and demand reduction initiatives, underscoring the agency’s commitment to combatting drug abuse across the country.
By Fikunmi Sokoya
2 comments
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