The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a Lagos-based businessman accused of masterminding an attempt to smuggle cocaine to the United Kingdom, as operatives recorded a series of major drug seizures and arrests across the country.
The suspect, 55-year-old Onuigbo Ndubisi Chinedu, a clothing trader at the popular Balogun Market on Lagos Island, was arrested on July 23 after NDLEA officers intercepted 3.30 kilograms of cocaine concealed inside the walls of cartons containing food items destined for the UK at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) a day earlier.
In a statement released on Sunday by Femi Babafemi, director, media and advocacy, NDLEA, investigations initially led to the arrest of three cargo agents — Nkwor Onyekachukwu Justina, Adeleke Abiola Taoheed and Ukanwa Grace Pilgrim — who processed the shipment.
Their interrogation later led operatives to Kenneth Okakpu, who allegedly delivered the consignment for export.
Further investigations identified Onuigbo as the alleged kingpin behind the trafficking network, leading to his arrest while he was reportedly preparing to send another cocaine shipment to the UK.
