The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has detained an automobile spare parts dealer, Levi Ubodoeze, allegedly in possession of phenacetin, a cutting-edge agent for cocaine, weighing 77.50 kilogrammes.

The NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said in a statement on Sunday in Abuja that Mr Ubodoeze was arrested in Lagos.

He explained that the suspect was detained barely three weeks after the NDLEA launched a manhunt.

Mr Babafemi said the suspect had earlier been arrested over a recent attempt to export two kilogrammes of cocaine concealed in vehicle propellers to Angola.

He said that following the seizure of the cocaine consignment at a logistics company in Aspanda, Trade Fair Complex, Ojo area of Lagos on February 21, swift contacts were made with Angolan authorities.

Mr Babafemi said this made the Angolan Authorities arrest the supposed recipient of the illicit drug in the country, after which the identity of the sender was unravelled.

“As a result, NDLEA operatives on Thursday, March 6, tracked Ubodoeze to his house in Ago palace way area of Isolo, Lagos, where he was caught in a KIA Sport Utility Vehicle trying to escape.

“A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of the large quantity of phenacetin, a cutting agent for cocaine weighing 75.50 kilogrammes packaged and branded as semolina. Also, a digital scale used for weighing illicit drugs was recovered from his house.

“In his statement, Ubodoeze admitted dealing in cocaine while selling motor spare parts at Ladipo market, Mushin area of Lagos.

“He stated that the supposed recipient of the illicit consignment in Angola alerted him the moment he was arrested in Angola, hence his bid to evacuate his house and flee from the area shortly before NDLEA officers swooped on him,” he said.

Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, intercepted a cargo of cannabis candies.

Mr Babafemi said the drugs were imported from the United Kingdom and meant for sale at a Kiddies Mart at 46 Ogunlana Drive, Surulere, Lagos.

He said the consignment was seized on February 27 upon its arrival as a consolidated cargo on Allied Airways.

The NDLEA spokesman said a preliminary field test and subsequent forensic analysis of the candies established that the substance was laced with a strong strain of cannabis.

“As a result, the recipient of the shipment, Adedamola Taylor, was arrested on Tuesday, March 4, after initial arrest of a freight agent.

“In his statement, Taylor claimed the consignment was sent to him by his UK-based brother, Babatunde Alabi, to deliver to one Musurat Lawal, who operates the kiddies shop owned by Alabi in Surulere area of Lagos.

“A follow-up operation at the shop led to the arrest of Musurat Lawal,” he said.

The agency said it had continued the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities in schools, worship centres, workplaces, and communities in the past week.

(NAN)