The National Intelligence Service of the Republic of Korea has commended the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for its exceptional effort and professionalism in apprehending a wanted 59-year-old drug baron, Kevin Jeff.

The suspect, whose 17 years of hiding in the dark to ship illicit drugs worth billions of naira across the world, ended in February following his arrest by NDLEA operatives in Lagos.

Excited with the breakthrough, a delegation from the Korean Intelligence Service on Wednesday in Abuja paid the NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd) a courtesy visit.

A statement by the NDLEA Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi said that the visit was to deliver a letter of appreciation by the Director of NIS, Taeyong Cho.

Mr Jeff had for years been a pain in the neck of the Korean authorities following the persistent shipment of illicit drugs linked to him to South Korea.

As a result, an Interpol red notice was issued against him, while the NIS of South Korea sought the help of NDLEA in tracking and arresting him.

He had served a one-year prison sentence in Korea in 2007 for drug offences and was deported to Nigeria in 2008.

After years of being on his trail, operatives of a Special Operations Unit of NDLEA eventually arrested him on Wednesday, February 12 at his hideout at No. 3, Ibukunoluwa Taiwo Close, off LASU Road, Lagos.

In his letter, Mr Cho expressed gratitude for Mr Marwa’s support and the NDLEA’s exceptional cooperation during its recent joint operation, which led to the arrest of Mr Jeff, a key figure in an international drug organisation.

According to the Korean Intelligence chief, “Kevin Jeff was responsible for smuggling significant quantities of narcotics into the Republic of Korea, and the NIS had been tracking him for years. I am truly pleased that our two services have successfully carried out the first special cooperation, enabling us to bring him to justice.

“Without the NDLEA’s invaluable cooperation, those long-standing efforts might have been in vain. Once again, I extend my deepest gratitude for the NDLEA’s exemplary service in this cooperation. Building on this significant achievement in our joint efforts against drug-related crimes, I look forward to further strengthening our collaboration.

“The NIS delegation comprising Messrs Choi Younkwan and Kim Juseok sought the extradition of Kevin Jeff to South Korea to face pending drug charges.’’

In his response, Mr Marwa expressed appreciation for the Koreans’ commendation and assured them that the world could always count on Nigeria in the global effort against illicit drug trafficking.

Mr Marwa said, “We’re delighted to partner with you and be of service to you because your service has a long history of professionalism. We want to give the assurance that at any time, you can count on us to work together with you towards a drug-free world.’’

He thanked the Korean government for the donation of some equipment to the agency.

He said the equipment would be of tremendous help to NDLEA as it continued to execute its job of keeping Nigeria and the world safe from drug traffickers.

Mr Marwa said that he would study their request for extradition and work within the limits allowed by the Nigerian laws and the bilateral agreements between the two countries.

He, however, expressed hope in the possibility of getting training opportunities for NDLEA officers in Korean Intelligence training institutions as part of the evolving partnership.

(NAN)