NDLEA nabs suspect in cocaine export attempt to Angola
Story from Hamzat Ibrahim
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested Levi Chidiebele Ubodoeze, an automobile spare parts dealer, nearly three weeks after launching a manhunt for him over an attempt to export two kilograms of cocaine concealed in vehicle propellers to Angola.
The cocaine consignment was seized at a logistics company in Aspanda, Trade Fair Complex, Ojo, Lagos, on 21st February 2025.
Angolan authorities, acting on NDLEA’s tip-off, arrested the intended recipient before tracing the sender’s identity.
In a statement on Sunday, NDLEA’s Director of Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said, “NDLEA operatives on Thursday, 6th March, tracked Ubodoeze to his house in Ago Palace Way, Isolo, Lagos, where he was caught in a KIA Sport Utility Vehicle trying to escape.”
A search of the vehicle uncovered 75.50 kilograms of phenacetin, a cutting agent for cocaine, branded as semolina. A digital scale used in weighing illicit drugs was also found in his house.
Ubodoeze admitted dealing in cocaine while selling motor spare parts at Ladipo Market, Mushin, Lagos.
He revealed that the recipient in Angola alerted him upon arrest, prompting his failed escape attempt.
Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, intercepted a cargo of cannabis-laced candies from the United Kingdom on 27th February.
The shipment, intended for sale at a Kiddies Mart on Ogunlana Drive, Surulere, led to the arrest of Adedamola Taylor on 4th March. Taylor claimed his UK-based brother, Babatunde Alabi, sent the consignment to be delivered to Musurat Lawal, who was later arrested at the store.
READ ALSO: NDLEA arrests lady at Lagos airport with illicit drug consignments
On 7th March, two suspects, China Michael and Igbo Ekene, were arrested at Shibiri, Ojo, after NDLEA operatives found 248 compressed blocks of Ghanaian Loud, a potent cannabis strain, weighing 128kg, hidden in their commercial truck.
In another operation the same day, three suspects—Osinachi Nwachukwu, Tochukwu Okafor Christian, and John Ugochukwu Mbakwe—were caught at Mosalasi Junction, Mushin, with 301,600 pills of tramadol and other opioids.
In Kano, Yahaya Haruna, 65, was arrested with 19.2kg of skunk on Gadar Tamburawa Road on 6th March, while Musa Bello, 60, was caught with 212 bottles of codeine syrup in Medile, Kumbotso Local Government Area.
NDLEA operatives in Aba, Abia State, raided the home and warehouse of Blessing Okoronkwo, 37, on 4th March, recovering 442,594 pills of tramadol and other opioids, along with 1,274 bottles of codeine syrup.
In Benue, 50,000 pills of tramadol and exol-5 were seized from Nwaeze Onyeabor, 47, and Tombo Thomas, 23, at Ugbema Junction, Katsina Ala, on 5th March.
In Osun, Asimiyu Muibi, 50, was arrested on 4th March in Modakeke, Ife East, with 162kg of skunk, while 95kg of the same substance was found in a Toyota Camry during a raid in Ede.
Finally, in Edo State, NDLEA officers raided Amahor Community Forest, Igueben, on 5th March, arresting Etim Esien Stephen, 55.
A total of 9,514.625kg of skunk was destroyed on 3.805846 hectares of cannabis farmland.
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