Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested a 20-year-old hair stylist, Josephine Odunu and a dispatch rider, Edesemi Ikporo, 30, for selling and distributing illicit drug-laced chin-chin to school students and at social parties in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
Spokesman of NDLEA, Femi Babafemi said in a statement: “NDLEA officers on patrol around Opolo area of Yenagoa had on March 10, 2024, intercepted the motorcycle dispatch rider, Edesemi and recovered 200grams of chin-chin produced with cannabis sativa, which he was on a mission to deliver to a buyer.
“A swift follow up operation led to the arrest of the hairdresser, Josephine, who distributes the drugged chin-chin from the salon where she works in Kpansia area of Yenagoa.
“A search of the salon also led to the recovery of 3.00 kilograms bringing the total weight of the illicit substance seized from the duo to 3.2kg.
“Investigations reveal that they distribute the chin-chin often laced with cannabis and tramadol to students and at birthday parties.
“While Edesemi handles the delivery to buyers, Josephine is a major distributor to a wanted suspect who produces the drugged chin-chin.”
Also, the agency said it operatives have arrested two wanted suspects: Ajim Samuel (aka Boss), 30, and Davidson Joshua (aka Dantala), 36, in Adamawa State while on their way from Onitsha, Anambra State, where they had gone to buy a consignment of tramadol.
The consignment containing 14,428 pills of the opioid were tucked in the body compartments of their black Honda Civic car marked.
Babafemi said the suspects were nabbed along Numan-Jalingo Road, adding that 21 grams of cannabis and monetary exhibits totaling 19,280 were recovered from them.
The statement added, “In Osun state, commercial bus driver, Ogunleye Adegoke, 49, was arrested along Gbongan-Ibadan road after NDLEA operatives discovered 2,000 capsules of tramadol, 60 tablets of rohypnol and 10 bottles of codeine syrup concealed in the spare tyre compartment of his vehicle.
“A total of 343,000 pills of opioids were seized by NDLEA officers from a suspect, Lawan Abubakar, 33, in Azare town, Katagum, Bauchi state on March 15.
“On the same day the Nigerian Army transferred a suspect, Muhammadu Rabi’u, 37, with 64,000 pills of tramadol recovered from him to the Bauchi state command of NDLEA.
“At least, 24kg of cannabis was seized from the driver of a transport company, Ikechukwu Obialo, at Sagamu Interchange, Ogun state by NDLEA operatives on March 13.
“In Kano, two suspects: Ali Amadu, 27, and Adamu Hassan, 33, were nabbed with a total of 125.3kg cannabis; 3,400 pills of tramadol; and 30 bottles of codeine syrup.
“They were arrested on March 11, at Gadar Tamburawa area, and March 15, at Tsamiya Babba, Hotoro respectively.”