NDLEA busts trans-border drug cartel, arrests 4

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have bust a trans-border drug trafficking syndicate, arresting four members in intelligence-led operations during which multi-million-naira worth of tramadol pills concealed in the bumper and false bottom of Sienna buses heading to border towns were recovered.

Following weeks of intelligence and surveillance operations by operatives of the Directorate of Intelligence in the NDLEA, a Sienna bus marked ABJ 452 HG was intercepted at Nasarawa-Toto road, Keffi, Nasarawa State on January 27.

The NDLEA’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, who said this on Sunday in Abuja in a statement, added that two suspects: Zahradeen Adamu, 27, and Abubakar Usman, 44, were arrested in the vehicle coming from Onitsha, Anambra State, en route Yola, Adamawa State.

He also said a second Sienna bus driven by Abba Usman, 48, was intercepted.

• Revenue agency seals off only surviving textile company in Kaduna over tax liabilities
• Army conducts funeral ceremony for Dead horse in Kaduna, says it was a symbol of loyalty

“During a search of the two vehicles, specially constructed steel compartments were discovered after the removal of the back bumper where a total of 190,960 pills of tramadol were concealed and, in the space, designed to house the spare tyre of the vehicles.

“Investigations revealed that an Onitsha, Anambra State-based dealer, Kingsley Mbaeri, was the supplier of the seized tramadol consignment,” Babafemi said.

He said a swift follow up operation led to the arrest of Mbaeri at his Uga Street, Onitsha home on January 29, where two vehicles: a Toyota Corolla car marked FGG 948 MF and a Toyota Sienna bus marked GWA 23 HH were recovered.