The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced the arrest of two members of an alleged syndicate involved in the illicit importation and trafficking of the lethal synthetic opioid known as fentanyl in Anambra State. The arrest took place at Ogbogwu Market, Onitsha Head Bridge, in Onitsha South Local Government Area of the state.
According to a statement released on Tuesday by the Director of Media and Advocacy of NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, the suspects were identified as Odoh Collins Oguejiofor and Oliver Chigozie Uzoma. The NDLEA operatives also recovered several banned and controlled drugs, including packs of liquid fentanyl, ampoules of fentanyl injection, and Ozempic solution for injection in pre-filled pens.
The NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy disclosed that the operation leading to the arrest was carried out following credible intelligence and synergy between the agency and its local and international partners. He added that the operation was ordered by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), after months of undercover monitoring and sufficient evidence to nail the suspects.
The arrest of these suspects came in the wake of an alert issued by the anti-narcotics agency in November 2022 that some criminal elements were plotting to flood the Nigerian market with fentanyl. Fentanyl has been linked to over 70% of overdose deaths and is a major contributor to fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the United States.
Reacting to the development, General Marwa commended the officers and men of the NDLEA involved in the operation and urged them to intensify their crackdown on other members of the cartel who might have gone underground. He also warned parents and other stakeholders to be vigilant, alert, and discourage their young ones from attempting to experiment with this illicit substance.
The arrested suspects are being investigated, and the NDLEA has assured the public that it will carry out a thorough investigation to unravel the entire membership of the syndicate. The NDLEA is also working with relevant stakeholders to ensure that the illicit importation and trafficking of fentanyl and other banned substances in Nigeria is curtailed.
This arrest showcases the NDLEA’s unwavering commitment to fighting drug trafficking and abuse in the country. The agency continues to employ advanced tactics and intelligence gathering to stay ahead of drug traffickers and reduce drug abuse to the barest minimum.
