Agents of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have detained a port terminal operator and a dock worker on suspicion of trafficking in illegal substances.
The three individuals suspected of being participants of the syndicate are Falowo Samuel Kayode, Anjorin Idowu, a dock worker, and Uzairu Ahmed Iguda. They are responsible for clearing and notifying the two containers, as well as operating the Five Star terminal at the Tincan harbor in Lagos.
The Tincan harbor in Lagos received a shipment of various weapons and ammunition from Durban, South Africa, according to a statement released on Sunday by NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi.He said that Mohammed Muktar Sule, a terminal dock worker with similar ties to the syndicate but going under a different alias, is still at large.
“The agency had requested a 100% joint examination of two containers from South Africa, MSCU 4581770 and TRHU 7968071, based on credible intelligence.” Therefore, on January 18 and 19, 2024, the exercise was carried out with the participation of other stakeholders. During this time, illicit items including 56.39 kg of cocaine and 795 kg of Colorado, a synthetic strong strain of cannabis, were found within the containers.
“The agency had requested a 100% joint examination of two containers from South Africa, MSCU 4581770 and TRHU 7968071, based on credible intelligence.” Therefore, on January 18 and 19, 2024, the exercise was carried out with the participation of other stakeholders. During this time, illicit items including 56.39 kg of cocaine and 795 kg of Colorado, a synthetic strong strain of cannabis, were found within the containers.
Consequently, two suspects have been taken into custody: Anjorin Idowu, a dock worker at the terminal, and Uzairu Ahmed Iguda, who oversees the placing and stacking of containers at the terminal. Another suspect who is now at large is Mohammed Muktar Sule, also known as the organizer, who works on the terminal’s dock.
According to investigations, the three suspects planned to relocate the 192.7 kg Colorado handgun and rounds of ammunition from the container to an empty container in the terminal with the help of the agent and the notified person, Falowo Samuel Kayode.
With the most recent seizure, the total weight of the two containers that was discovered was 1,044.29 kg, consisting of 987.9 kg of Colorado and 56.39 kg of cocaine. Three kingpins who are thought to be based in South Africa and involved in the importation of the containers have also been identified through investigations. Those on the Agency’s wanted list are Odeyemi Taiwo Emmanuel, Akinyemi Olayinka, and Adebayo Adewole Emmanuel.
He claimed that on February 20, the NDLEA officers stormed a drug joint under a powerline off Etete road, GRA Benin city, Edo state, where they found various illegal narcotics and detained a 24-year-old sales girl named Jessica Destiny.