Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have apprehended an auto spare parts dealer, Levi Chidiebele Ubodoeze, who was attempting to flee after being linked to a high-profile drug trafficking operation.
Ubodoeze, previously on the run, was arrested on Thursday, 6th March, in Lagos after a multi-week manhunt, bringing an end to a major international drug export scheme.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, confirmed Ubodoeze’s arrest, noting that operatives apprehended him barely three weeks after launching a manhunt.
The arrest came just weeks after operatives intercepted a 2kg consignment of cocaine concealed in vehicle propellers at a logistics company in the Aspanda, Trade Fair Complex, Ojo, Lagos, on 21st February.
Following the seizure, a coordinated effort with Angolan authorities led to the identification of Ubodoeze as the sender of the illicit drugs.
“Following the seizure of the cocaine consignment, swift contacts were made with the Angolan authorities who arrested the supposed recipient, and this ultimately led to the identification of the sender,” he said.
Ubodoeze, who had allegedly been operating his drug trade under the guise of a legitimate automobile business at the Ladipo market in Mushin, Lagos, was traced to his residence on Ago Palace Way, Isolo.
In a bid to evade capture, he attempted to flee the area in a KIA Sport Utility Vehicle. However, his escape was short-lived as NDLEA operatives cornered him. A search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of 75.5kg of phenacetin, a cutting agent commonly used to dilute cocaine, which was cunningly disguised as semolina.
“Upon searching his residence, we also seized a digital scale used for weighing illicit drugs,” Babafemi added.
In an interrogation, Ubodoeze admitted his involvement in the cocaine trade, revealing that he was alerted by the Angolan recipient of the drugs about his arrest, prompting him to hastily evacuate his house in an attempt to escape the inevitable.
The cocaine plot was foiled, but NDLEA’s operations did not stop there. The agency also intercepted a cargo of cannabis-infused candies from the United Kingdom, arriving at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos on 27th February.
The shipment, disguised as candy, was destined for a shop in Surulere, Lagos. After detaining the freight agent, authorities arrested the intended recipient, Adedamola Taylor, and further investigation led to the arrest of Musurat Lawal, the store owner.
NDLEA operatives also dealt significant blows to drug trafficking across other states, arresting several suspects and making major drug seizures in Lagos, Kano, Abia, Benue, Osun, and Edo.
In Lagos, two individuals were arrested with 128kg of Ghanaian Loud cannabis, while in Mushin, 301,600 pills of tramadol were seized. The agency’s crackdown extended to other states, with large quantities of tramadol, codeine syrup, and skunk being confiscated.
