The interception occurred on February 15, 2026, at Bodada, following days of surveillance targeting suspected drug trafficking activities.

Police stopped a Benz cargo truck with registration number GS 3831-09, driven by Amrado Justice Nelson, 50, with Onaneye Yussif, 25, as an occupant.

Although the vehicle initially appeared empty, a thorough search uncovered specially modified sealed compartments hidden beneath the cargo floor. Inside the concealed compartments, officers discovered 1,482 compressed parcels of substances suspected to be Indian hemp, suggesting a well-coordinated attempt to transport the drugs undetected.

During the operation, suspect Amrado Justice Nelson allegedly offered GH¢80,000 to the officers in an attempt to secure their release and avoid arrest. The officers rejected the bribe and proceeded to detain both suspects.

The suspects are currently in police custody assisting with investigations, while the truck and seized substances have been impounded as evidence.

Police stated that the operation highlights the evolving tactics used by drug traffickers, including the modification of vehicles to conceal illegal cargo, and reaffirmed their commitment to dismantling such networks.

Authorities have urged the public to continue supporting law enforcement by reporting suspicious activities as efforts intensify to curb drug trafficking across the country.

The operation, described as swift and intelligence-led, marks a significant breakthrough in efforts to dismantle a major drug trafficking network believed to be operating across the Eastern Region and beyond.

The early morning raid came after several weeks of undercover surveillance and intelligence gathering by NACOC operatives in collaboration with other national security agencies.

The suspects were apprehended at different locations within Atimpoku, where quantities of suspected narcotic substances were discovered concealed in their residences.

In addition to the drugs, the Commission recovered various paraphernalia believed to be used for processing, packaging, and distribution.

The substances have been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory for testing, while investigations into the full extent of the suspects’ operations continue.

The identities of the arrested individuals are currently being withheld to avoid compromising ongoing investigations.

However, NACOC confirmed that the suspects have long been under surveillance due to their alleged involvement in trafficking drugs within and outside the Eastern Region.

The operation underscores NACOC’s renewed commitment to disrupting drug trafficking networks across Ghana. Officials say more crackdowns should be expected as they intensify efforts to combat the illegal drug trade.

Meanwhile, NACOC has urged the public to assist in the fight against narcotics by reporting suspicious drug-related activities in their communities.

In an interview, NPP General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong announced the decision to postpone the party’s meeting, initially planned for Monday, April 7, citing the gravity of the drug trafficking allegations as the reason.

According to Mr. Kodua, the party considers the ongoing scandal a matter of national interest that requires urgent attention and critical engagement with the government, rather than diverting attention to internal disciplinary matters involving Adwoa Safo.

“There is not going to be any discussion on whether or not Honourable Adwoa Safo is going to appear before any committee or not. What the party is going to discuss is the ongoing issue with respect to the alleged drug trafficking in our country,” he stressed.

The General Secretary emphasized that the party would not allow its focus to shift to Adwoa Safo’s matter at this critical time.

“Our priority now is the alleged drug trafficking scandal, not internal party politics. Ghanaians deserve answers from the government. We expect transparency, accountability, and clarity on this matter,” he added.

He expressed disappointment in the government’s handling of the situation, raising concerns about inconsistencies in the official narrative surrounding the scandal, which he believes has dented Ghana’s image internationally.

“The rank and file of our party have expressed disappointment at the worrying behavior of this government. There are several mind-boggling questions we expect the government to answer. The attempt to sweep these critical issues under the carpet is unacceptable,” Mr. Kodua stated.

He further criticized the government’s silence on the matter, questioning why there has not been any official communication from the country’s security agencies despite the magnitude of the allegations.

“This is worrying and embarrassing for our country. It is shocking that, when this issue has become an international topic, we are yet to hear any official communication from our security agencies,” he lamented.

His comments come ahead of Madam Adwoa Safo, accompanied by her supporters, storming the NPP headquarters to appear before the party’s Disciplinary Committee. She expressed disappointment that the committee failed to officially notify her about the postponement of her scheduled appearance before them.

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Describing the situation as both “disappointing and very disturbing,” Dr. Aning warned that the handling of the matter risks tarnishing Ghana’s international image and undermining trust in its security institutions.

The allegations were initially raised by the Ranking Member of Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, in a statement to Parliament on Tuesday, April 1.

According to Rev. Fordjour, two aircraft—Cavok Air’s Antonov An-128B and an AirMed flight registered as N823AM—were allegedly used in illicit trafficking activities at KIA.

Speaking on Accra-based Citi FM on Monday, April 7, Dr. Aning cautioned that the situation demands a careful, responsible, and non-partisan response from both government and security agencies.

“It is disappointing and very disturbing because Ghana has previously been identified as a southern hub for cocaine trafficking, with about 15 percent of all cocaine consumed in Europe transiting through the country,” he stated.

“We have long-established infrastructure, networks, and mechanisms for detecting and preventing trafficking. We must not send the wrong signals to the international community that we are sliding backward.”

He stressed that while Members of Parliament have a right to raise important questions, particularly those touching on national security and international perception, such matters must be handled with sensitivity and strategic foresight.

“A parliamentarian has every right to question and demand accountability. But when these questions concern the country’s reputation and how our global partners perceive us, they must be approached with utmost caution,” he added.

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In a statement, the NPP condemned what it described as the government’s intimidation of minority voices raising legitimate concerns about the presence of AirMed flight N823AM and Cavok Air Antonov An-12B in the country.

The party questioned the aircrafts’ origin and mission, insisting that the public deserves a satisfactory explanation.

The NPP expressed concern that the government appeared to be politicizing public curiosity, warning that this approach only “reinforces the suspicion that the explanation is contrived.”

The party noted that the UN Office on Drugs and Crime had also called on the government to investigate the purpose of the flights.

Beyond the aircraft issue, the NPP demanded updates on two major drug trafficking cases—the $350 million cocaine bust in Cape Coast and the $150 million cocaine seizure in Sekondi.

The party claimed the government has failed to provide meaningful information on these matters, especially regarding alleged links to a senior member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

“This silence on high-profile arrests undermines public trust,” the statement continued. “The government must not trivialize matters of drug trafficking and money laundering, as we have seen so far.”

The NPP urged security agencies to provide a detailed, professional account of the cargo and mission of the aircraft in question and called on the government to demonstrate seriousness in the fight against transnational crime.

]]> https://www.adomonline.com/nacoc-arrests-notorious-drug-trafficker-in-accra/ Wed, 19 Mar 2025 14:00:08 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2516619 The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has arrested a long-time drug trafficking suspect, Uchechukwu Chima, in a successful intelligence-led operation at Oyarifa, a suburb of Accra.

The 56-year-old Nigerian national was apprehended on Tuesday, March 18, following a search of his hideout, which uncovered 192kg of cocaine and 0.42kg of heroin. Field tests confirmed the substances as narcotics, with an estimated street value of $2.1 million.

Chima, who has been on NACOC’s radar for some time, is believed to be the mastermind behind several past drug seizures.

His arrest represents a major breakthrough in Ghana’s fight against drug trafficking.

NACOC has reaffirmed its commitment to making Ghana an unprofitable destination for drug cartels and ensuring public safety.

Read the statement below:

Dated: Wednesday 19, March, 2025

For Immediate Release

NACOC ARRESTS A LONG TIME DRUG TARGET*

An intelligence led operation by the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) on Tuesday, 18 March 2025, resulted in the arrest of a 56 year old Nigerian, Uchechukwu Chima at Oyarifa, a suburb of Accra.

A search conducted by the NACOC team at the suspect’s hideout uncovered substances suspected to be narcotic drugs. Field tests conducted on the suspected substance proved positive for cocaine and heroin, both narcotic drugs. The suspected narcotic substances, with a total weight of about 192kg of cocaine and 0.42kg of heroin, are estimated at a street value of Two Million, One Hundred and Twenty-one Thousand, Six Hundred and Sixty United States Dollars (US$2.1 Million).

The suspect, Uchechukwu Chima who has been a target for NACOC for some time now, is noted to be the brain behind some seizures/arrests made by NACOC in the past.

NACOC by this seizure and arrest, has taken this substantial quantity of drugs from the street, saving millions of lives of people who would have otherwise perished from abusing these hard drugs.

NACOC remains committed to making Ghana an unprofitable destination for drug trafficking and thus protecting the safety and well-being of all Ghanaians and the international community.

Signed
Francis Opoku Amoah
Acting Director, Public Affairs and International

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SAPS spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Amanda Van Wyk, said the man was arrested on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at the busy airport after he was allegedly found to have swallowed cocaine with an estimated street value of R7.5 million.

A medical x-ray revealed that the suspect had ingested multiple objects suspected to be pellets containing cocaine.

“He is still releasing the pellets,” Van Wyk added.

The suspect is expected to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrates’ Court soon.

This arrest comes just weeks after police apprehended two South African drug mules at the same airport, seizing cocaine worth an estimated R7.5 million.

The agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, reported that the suspect was arrested while preparing to board a Qatar Airlines flight to Iran via Doha, carrying 76 wraps of cocaine hidden in his stomach.

Following his arrest, Okafor was placed under observation for three days, during which he excreted the 76 pellets of cocaine, totaling 1.267 kilograms.

In a separate operation in Kogi State, NDLEA officers patrolling the Okene-Lokoja-Abuja expressway discovered 700,000 pills of Exol-5 that were en route from Lagos to Kano and Kaduna.

Additionally, on September 20, operatives arrested a 23-year-old suspect, Udemefuna Chibuike, along the Mokwa-Jebba road in Niger State, who was found in possession of 49,000 tablets of tramadol, 20,000 tablets of diazepam, 100 ampoules of tramadol injection, and 50 bottles of cough syrup containing codeine.

On Friday 3rd May 2024, Okafor Ezugwu was sentenced to a minimum of 10 years in hard labour and charged with a fine of ten thousand penalty units, while in the event of default, he will serve an additional three years in prison.

The court also ordered the destruction of the exhibit which will be supervised by all the interested stakeholders in the presence of the court registrar, state prosecutors and the defence counsel.

Mr. Ezugwu was arrested on Wednesday 21 February 2024 by officers of NACOC at the Kotoka International Airport when he was going through pre-boarding formalities at the departure hall to board a flight to Hanoi, Vietnam.

A urine test conducted on him revealed traces of narcotic substances.

He later expelled a total of 90 thumb-sized pellets during observation by officers, where a field test of the pellets proved positive for cocaine.

He was subsequently detained and later charged with three counts of narcotic offences relating to unlawful possession, attempted exportation of narcotic drugs and money laundering.

Mr. Ezugwu was arraigned before the Criminal Court Division of the Accra High Court, where he pleaded guilty to all three counts and was consequently convicted on his own plea.

In a meeting, NACOC re-affirmed its commitment to protecting the public from the trafficking and use of illicit drugs, thereby ensuring public safety.

The Commission emphasised that the possession, usage, and transportation of illegal drugs without lawful authorisation remain prohibited under sections 40 (1) and 41 (1) of Act 1019 of the Narcotics Control Commission Act 2020, and urges the general public to be aware of the consequences and risks associated with such activities.

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During a recent episode of the ‘King of Talk’ podcast with Teju Babyface, the 58-year-old film star reflected on the negative reports published about her in Nigeria after she moved to the United Kingdom to work in menial jobs.

The actress revealed that one such report claimed she was killed in Saudi Arabia for drug trafficking, and explained that many people were surprised to see her alive upon her return to Nigeria.

Her words: “The worst of the rumors I heard about me was when they said Sola Sobowale had been killed in Saudi Arabia. and that I carried cocaine,” she said.

“It was written here in Nigeria. I was arrested in Saudi Arabia. That, they amputated my leg and my hand. And I said to them that I am a star in Nigeria and that they should kill me.

“So when I now got to Nigeria, at the airport, they said ‘Sola Sobowale is dead’. I said do you believe in abracadabra? I said I am alive. I have never been to Saudi Arabia.

“I do not even know where it is on the map. So many negative things. But to God be the glory. God has compensated me.”

The veteran actress disclosed that she paused her career to prioritize her children, emphasizing that she didn’t expect anything in return.

She also recalled leaving her lucrative acting job, which was earning her over N5 million within months in the early 2000s, for menial jobs in England.

She said, “It was confusing because my tag read ‘Olu’. Because I did not put Olusola. Especially one of the top Ogas looked at me and said ‘have I met you before’ and I said no,” she said.

“Then he looked at me and walked away. After I saw him in the office, I went there and asked may I know you sir and he said his name is Seye Fadipe. And I said yes, you have met me before. I said my name is Sola Sobowale. You met me on the television.

“He looked at me and said ‘are you crazy?’ I said I am not crazy. He asked what are you doing? You are up there in Nigeria. But there was something better than that. My future. My children are my future. There will be a time when the energy that Sola Sobowale will no longer be there. Then it is what you sow that you reap.

“At that time, Sola Sobowale was baba career. Career that there was nothing you will not do. Not senior carer or team leader. You will wash. You will carry. You will clean. You will do everything. That was what I was doing. The following week, my name was called to go to college and register.”

Malam Bacai Sanha Jr, 52, planned to use the proceeds to fund his ambitions to become Guinea-Bissau’s president through a coup, authorities say.

He is the son of Malam Bacai Sanha, who led the West African country from 2009 until his death in 2012.

Sanha Jr has been linked to a failed coup in February 2022.

He was extradited to the US in August 2022, following his arrest in Tanzania a few weeks earlier.

His trial began soon afterwards and in September last year, he pleaded guilty to conspiring to illegally import drugs.

“Malam Bacai Sanha Jr wasn’t any ordinary international drug trafficker,” said FBI agent Douglas Williams on Tuesday.

“He is the son of the former president of Guinea-Bissau and was trafficking drugs for a very specific reason – to fund a coup that would eventually lead him to the presidency of his native country where he planned to establish a drug regime.”

Sanha Jr is accused of importing heroin from several countries to Portugal, and also from Europe to the United States.

US authorities say he could be deported following his imprisonment as he is not an American citizen.

The 52-year-old, known as “Bacaizinho” in Guinea-Bissau, has held several roles in the government, including as his father’s economic adviser.

He reportedly revealed that he was “personally involved” in the foiled 2022 coup attempt to unseat President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, which left 11 people dead, most of them members of the security forces.

Sanha Jr allegedly told undercover agents of the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) that he used drug proceeds to fund the coup plotters, German state-owned broadcaster Deutsche Welle reported last year.

Guinea-Bissau is a notorious drug trafficking hub. It is a key conduit for cocaine from Latin America destined for Europe, which led to the US and the UN designating it a “narco-state” more than a decade ago.

Experts say that drug traffickers and networks are highly influential and well-entrenched in the country’s government, often funding election campaigns for politicians they can rely on to protect the illegal trade.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said that Aderinoye Queen Christmas, also known as Queen Oluwadamilola Aderinoye, escaped when its officers raided her home in Lagos last week.

In a statement, the agency said that the raid followed “credible” intelligence that the ex-beauty queen was involved in illicit substances.

“Recovered from her home during the search witnessed by the estate officials include 606 grams of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, an electronic weighing scale, large quantities of drugs packing plastics,” the statement added.

The suspect was Miss Commonwealth Nigeria Culture 2015/2016 and the founder of the Queen Christmas Foundation.

She is yet to comment on the allegations.

Another suspect, who was returning from Brazil last week, was also arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport for ingesting 60 big wraps of cocaine, the agency said.

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In a recent statement by the police, it mentioned that the culprits including three visually impaired individuals were apprehended for their alleged involvement in drug trafficking.

These operations took place at various locations in Lagos, highlighting the extent of the drug trade in the region. The drugs seized include 14,481,519 pills of tramadol and bottles of codeine syrup.

The NDLEA Director for Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, reported the details of these operations, which occurred in three major busts targeting drug cartels in Amuwo Odofin, Idumota, and the SAHCO shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos.

One of the operations began in Amuwo Odofin, where a significant quantity of drugs was seized.

In another, a secret warehouse in Surulere operated by a wealthy Idumota trader, Nwaoha Anayo, was discovered, containing a substantial amount of Tramadol. Additionally, a syndicate facilitating the smuggling of illicit drugs through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport was exposed and six members were arrested.

Meanwhile, a visually impaired man, Adamu Hassan, was arrested in Abuja with 12 kilogrammes of skunk.

Further investigations into his involvement led to the apprehension of the syndicate’s leader, Bello Abubakar.

Two other visually impaired individuals, Muktar Abubakar and Akilu Amadu, were also arrested for their roles in this illicit trade. 

A visually impaired individual identified as Mallam Aminu is still at large. Operatives in Osun uncovered a large cannabis farm in Owena-Ijesa and seized a substantial amount of processed cannabis.

In Edo, a trans-loading point in Avbiosi forest was raided, resulting in the seizure of 603 kilograms of illicit substances. Additional drug seizures occurred in Ogun, Lagos, and Oyo states.

These operations are part of the NDLEA’s ongoing efforts to combat drug abuse and trafficking across Nigeria.

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She was sentenced by the Jasikan Circuit Court presided over His Honour Alfred Kwabena Asiedu in the Oti Region on Friday, March 31,2023.

Amina Mush was also ordered by the Court to pay a fine of 10,000 penalty units or in default serve another 3 years imprisonment which will run concurrently.

The Police prosecutor, Detective Inspector Bright Nkansah told the Court that on February 2023, the Nkwanta police patrol team acted on intelligence and arrested the suspect.

According to him, she was arrested at Nkwanta for possessing 18 parcel of cannabis (wee).

He explained that the suspect, who was traveling from Hohoe to Yendi, allegedly posed as a pregnant woman by fastening the slabs of the dried leaves on her belly.

However, luck eluded Amina, who was dressed in ‘maternity’ gown, when the officers on duty became suspicious of her strange body language.

A search conducted on her by police Nkwanta led to the recovery of the slabs of dried leaves suspected to be cannabis.

Detective Inspector Bright Nkansah said the matter went on full trial after which she was convicted of the charge and sentenced accordingly.

Amina Mussah, pleaded guilty simplicita to unlawful possession of narcotic drugs and she was convicted on her own plea.

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested the former player, who arrived in possession of 1.40kg of crack cocaine, reports gathered by Guardian Nigeria.

According to NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, the 33-year-old left Nigeria after enjoying four seasons with University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, UNTH Enugu FC.

However, his football career was cut short due to documentation issues after he moved to Brazil from Sri Lanka.

The Agency also confirmed another Brazil returnee named lbeh Chinedu was arrested for concealing 3.20kg of black cocaine.

“Another Brazilian returnee, Ibeh Chinedu Damian was arrested the same day upon his arrival at the Lagos airport from Sao Paulo, Brazil via Ethiopian airlines flight. Ibeh who hails from Ahiazu, Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, was found to have concealed 3.20kg of black cocaine popularly known as ‘Lucci’ in the false bottoms of his two bags.”

According to TMZ, the Pompano Beach native was arrested on Friday (July 15) as he was cruising Ft. Lauderdale in a Dodge Durango, which police believed had a little too much tint.

Once Kodak was pulled over, officers claimed his vehicle reeked of marijuana, so they conducted a search and came up with 31 Oxycodone pills and $74,960 in cash. Police said his tags and license were also expired.

As a result, he was hauled off to Broward County Jail. Fox reporter Andy Slater tweeted late Friday night Kodak was being charged with trafficking.

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“Kodak Black was arrested on Friday in South Florida,” he wrote. “Cops pulled over the rapper and during a search found 30+ Oxycodone pills and over $50,000 in cash, multiple sources tell me.”

He added, “Kodak Black is being charged with trafficking, multiple sources tell me.”

SLATER SCOOP: Kodak Black was arrested on Friday in South Florida.

Cops pulled over the rapper and during a search found 30+ Oxycodone pills and over $50,000 in cash, multiple sources tell me.

— Andy Slater (@AndySlater) July 16, 2022

Kodak Black’s legal troubles have plagued his rap career for years. In fact, he would likely still be in jail had he’d not been granted a presidential pardon.

In January 2021, Donald Trump pardoned both Lil Wayne and Kodak, allowing both rappers to be released from jail almost immediately.

As Shepardson tweeted at the time, “Trump pardoned rappers Lil Wayne and Kodak Black who were prosecuted on federal weapons offenses, as well as former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, who was serving a 28-year prison term on corruption charges, a senior administration official said.”

Kodak has since become a huge fan of Trump, Earlier this month, he said Trump should run for re-election in 2024 and remain in office for as long as possible — despite terms being limited to eight years.

“We need Trump in office forever, man,” he wrote via Instagram. “Just like how them Chinese and Russian and Korean muthafuckas they have their president. Trump the best thing for America — ya heard me — for sure. I respect that boy logic, setup and whole rundown even if he didn’t free me.”

Deputy Head of Missions at the British High Commission, Keith McMahon, disclosed this at the commemoration of the International Day against Drugs and Illicit Trafficking on June 26.

According to him, some fishing communities in the country have been identified as conduits for such activities in the drug supply chain.

He said with the global availability of drug increasing more than ever before, urgent measures need to be taken to disrupt every notable supply and destination point of drug trafficking.

“Ghana is noted as a transit country for drug trafficking, particularly cocaine and sent to men directly across the ocean. Our teams from border force, immigration enforcement forces and the national crime agency have developed strong partnerships not only with the Narcotics Control Commission (NCC) but also the Economic and Organised Crime Office, Ghana Police Service, the Financial Intelligence Centre and other law enforcement agencies. We have made this progress together,” he explained.

He added that the UK has invested over three million cedis in Ghana’s Narcotics Commission over the last 10 years as part of efforts to reduce drug trafficking.

Keith McMahon noted that there has been a partnership between the UK and Germany through GIZ to set up an organised crime programme.

The programme, he said “will build upon progress already made and continue to support and strengthen some of the institutions here in Ghana.”

The Narcotics Control Commission is also expected to collaborate with the programme for a new awareness-raising campaign on drug trafficking and abuse.

“This programme is designed to protect fishermen and the communities from the dangers of substance abuse and ensure that they are aware of the dangers of becoming involved in trafficking,” Keith McMahon stated.

On his part, the Minister for Interior, Ambrose Derry who read the keynote speech on behalf of the President at the commemoration of the International Day against Drugs and Illicit Trafficking said relentless effort is needed to tackle the illicit drug trafficking menace and called for public support.

Herlinda Bobadilla, 61, was arrested in the mountains of Honduras after a shoot-out in which her 32-year-old son, Tito Montes, was killed.

US authorities had requested that she and her sons Tito and Juan Carlos Montes be extradited to the US and had offered a $5m-reward (£4.1m) for each.

Thirty-five-year-old Juan Carlos Montes remains on the run.

Police in Honduras say they received many tip-offs after the US State Department offered the multi-million dollar reward for the three two weeks ago.

They say they tracked down Herlinda Bobadilla and her sons Tito and Juan Carlos in the mountains of Colón province using aerial surveillance.

Special forces were deployed to the area and following an “intense confrontation”, they arrested Herlinda Bobadilla.

In a a statement, Honduran police said one member of the clan had been killed “when he opened fire on special ops agents”. The police chief later confirmed that the killed clan member was Tito Montes.

The Montes clan is accused of being one of the largest drug trafficking cartels in Honduras.

It has its powerbase on the northern coast of the Central American nation, where it receives large shipments of cocaine from South America via sea and air.

According to US prosecutors, they used submarines, illegal aircraft and boats to transport the drugs from Colombia and other cocaine-producing nations.

The Montes clan then smuggled the illicit substances north through Central America and Mexico to the United States, prosecutors allege.

It was reportedly founded as far back as the 1980s by Pedro García Montes, a Honduran with close links to Colombia’s Cali drugs cartel.

After García Montes was shot dead on a beach in Colombia by two hit men in 2004, his trafficking business was taken over by his cousin, Alex Adán Montes, one of Herlinda Bobadilla’s sons.

Alex Adán Montes was twice arrested on drugs charges. The first time, gunmen sprang him from house arrest, killing two of the officers guarding him and allowing him to flee to Colombia.

The second time, he was released into house arrest on medical grounds. He died of a heart attack in November 2014.

His brother Noe Montes took over leadership of the clan until 2017, when he was arrested and extradited to the US.

With Noe Montes sentenced to life in prison, control of the Montes cartel passed over to Tito, Juan Carlos, and their mother, Herlinda Bobadilla.

According to prosecutors, Ms Bobadilla had over the years become ever more involved in the family’s illicit business, from first assisting her sons in the importation, transportation and distribution of cocaine to finally becoming a joint leader of the clan.

Her arrest comes at a time when the role of Honduras in international drug-trafficking is being highlighted in a number of high-profile cases.

On Tuesday, Juan Orlando Hernández – who was president of Honduras for eight years until January of 2022 – pleaded not guilty to drugs charges. He is accused of working “with some of the world’s most prolific narcotics traffickers to build a corrupt and brutally violent empire”.

A day later, the former head of the Honduran police, Juan Carlos Bonilla, made his first court appearance in New York after also being extradited on drugs charges.

Patrick was flagged for ingesting 96 pellets of cocaine, which he excreted in the custody of the Agency.

He was arrested during an outward clearance of Turkish Airline at the boarding screening area of the airport en route Abuja-Istanbul-Madrid.

In a statement on Sunday, December 5, it said the suspect had travelled to Germany in 1996 for two years on asylum after which he relocated to Spain in 1999 where he currently holds a residence permit and works as a driver in a food manufacturing company.

“He claimed he came into Nigeria on 17th November to sell cloths and car spare parts he shipped to Lagos earlier. He, however, said he couldn’t sell his consignments, which cost him 4,000 Euros excluding the cost of shipment because they were priced below the cost price at Ladipo market in Lagos and he needed to travel back to Spain to resume work after the expiration of his annual leave”.

This, he said, led him to accept an offer to traffic the drug for which he would be paid 1,500 Euros when he successfully delivers the consignment to someone in Spain.

He claimed he left Lagos for Enugu to see his family members, and then travelled on 25th November to Onitsha, Anambra state where he was picked from Upper Iweka park at night and taken to a house where he was given the 96 pellets of cocaine to ingest before leaving for Abuja to board his flight to Madrid the following day.

Director, Media & Advocacy of the agency, Femi Babafemi, who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, said assorted illicit drugs weighing over 153, 256.876 kilograms were either destroyed or seized during the raids in the past week.

“In Lagos, the notorious drug haven, Akala in Mushin area of the state was on Friday 15th October raided by a combined team of 70 NDLEA operatives and 30 soldiers in a joint operation code named ‘ Operation Still Waters.’

“No less that 27 suspects were arrested while various drugs such as Cocaine, Heroin, Tramadol, Rohypnol and Cannabis, with a cumulative weight of 2,463.876 Kg were seized,” the statement read.

A day earlier, operatives also raided drug joints in Ojo and Maryland areas of the state where six persons were arrested and different quantities of drugs seized.

This followed another raid of Alhaji Lasisi street, Idioro, Mushin as well as Okota in Oshodi-Isolo area of the state during which 12 suspects were arrested and over 165kg of assorted illicit drugs recovered.

In Ogun state, operatives on Friday 15th October intercepted one Williams Esuabom along Ore- Shagamu expressway with 562.5kg Cannabis being conveyed in a Toyota sienna bus.

In Benue state, narcotic officers in a joint operation with soldiers raided Lafia park where six suspects including a youth corps member, Paul Ndubuisi were arrested with different quantities of drugs.

This came on the heels of the arrest of a suspected fake soldier, Abel John along Apir- Makurdi-Aliade road with 3.5kg Cannabis on Wednesday 13th October.

In Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, a suspected fake Assistant Superintendent of Police, Joshua Yusuf who claimed to be serving in Kano was arrested along Gwagwalada expressway while conveying 45.5kg of Cannabis.

This was during the same raid by the operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency who intercepted Lagos cookies laced with drugs going to United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Director, Media & Advocacy of the agency, Femi Babafemi, who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, September 5, said the youth corps member serving with a government agency in Abuja was arrested on Saturday 28th August, 2021 following the interception of a consignment at the warehouse of a transport company.

“A controlled delivery of the parcel, which contains the candies laced with Arizona, a strong variant of cannabis and some liquid, was subsequently carried out,” the statement said.

The gummies were parceled after the drugs had been injected into it.

In the same vein, operatives attached to courier companies in Lagos have intercepted 1.2kg of cannabis concealed inside locally made cookies going to Dubai, UAE and 920grams of cocaine hidden inside synthetic hair heading to Saudi Arabia.

Another 1.08kg cannabis concealed in spray cans going to Pakistan and 625grams of methamphetamine hidden in clothing heading to Australia were also seized.

Across the states, operatives also intensified arrests of traffickers and seizures of illicit drugs. A total of 384.7 kilograms of assorted narcotics being transported to the nations capital, Abuja for sale were intercepted and seized at patrol points in Lokoja, Kogi state on Monday 30th August and Thursday 2nd September, 2021.

A truck with registration number Plateau AA 462 QAP, driven by a 50-year-old Danlami Dodo, coming from Onitsha, Anambra, with Abuja, FCT as destination, was intercepted at a patrol point in Lokoja.

Ibeh Kenneth Ejike was nabbed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport when he failed a drug scan.

He was made to undertake a secondary check during which he tested positive to ingestion of illicit substances.

According to NDLEA’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, while under observation, he excreted 87 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.884 kilograms.

The 41-year-old suspect is said to have arrived on board an Ethiopian Airline flight 911 from Kigali via Addis Ababa.

The suspect, who imports clothes for sale, hails from Owerrizikeala village in Orumba LGA of Anambra State.

In another clampdown, a Lagos-based drug dealer, Eze Okorie, has been arrested following the interception of 4.15 kilograms of methamphetamine consignment going to London, the United Kingdom, at the NAHCO export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, on August 13.

According to Mr Babafemi, the drug was concealed in tins of tomato branded ‘sunripe’ and packaged for the driver of a freight forwarding company to deliver at the airport export shed for onward movement to the United Kingdom.

Mrs Anita Ugochinyere Ogbonna was grabbed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, NAIA, Abuja, with 100 pellets of cocaine concealed in her private part and handbag.

NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, July 4, said the mother-of-three was arrested on arrival in Abuja via Qatar Air from Sao Paulo, Brazil.

“The suspect was arrested on Friday night on arrival in Abuja via Qatar Air from Sao Paulo, Brazil through Doha. Upon a proper search, 12 wraps of cocaine inserted in her private part were extracted while another 88 pellets stuffed in socks were discovered hidden in her handbag,” Babafemi stated.

“During interrogation, Mrs Ogbonna, who is a mother-of-three children, all resident in Brazil, claimed she lost her husband three years ago. She confessed she decided to traffic the illicit drug to raise money for the burial of her father scheduled for 22nd July in Imo state,”

“She said one Emeka, alias KC also based in Brazil gave her the drug to deliver in Nigeria for a fee of $3,000. She said she pushed the wraps of cocaine into her private part after her attempts to swallow the pellets failed.

“The suspect who owns a shop where she sells African foodstuff in Brazil further claimed she had to drop her three young children with a Kenyan lady who is her neighbour in Brazil before she embarked on the quick-money-journey,” he added.

In a related development, narcotic officers attached to a courier company in Lagos have intercepted 500grams of ketamine concealed in the walls of a wooden box filled with bitter kola that originated from Douala, Cameroon and heading to the United States of America, while another 500grams of methamphetamine hidden in automobile parts going to Australia were also seized at the firm.

In the video, the Nigerian traveler named B.E.O was said to have come from an Ethiopian flight.  

According to istanbul.sonakika, the suspect had swallowed over 844 grams of drugs and was captured by cameras after he arrived at the airport.

The post reads: At Istanbul Airport, 844 grams of drugs were seized from the stomach of a person named BEO with Nigerian nationality. The suspect, who came to Istanbul on the Ethiopian Istanbul flight, was taken into custody as a result of the pursuit of police teams by security cameras. The suspect’s arrival at the airport and the moment of his arrest was captured by cameras.

He was caught on tape making numerous rounds at the airport, before an X-ray scan exposed his drug trafficking agenda.

The X-ray captured the beads of cocaine lined up in the elderly man’s intestines.

Director, Media, and Advocacy of the agency, Femi Babafemi, who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, April 18, said Chukwudi Destiny was arrested during the outward clearance of an Italy bound Ethiopian Airline. 

“On 10th April 2021, during the outward screening of passengers on Ethiopian airline to Italy, NDLEA operatives at MMIA intercepted and referred one Chukwudi Destiny for scanning and the scan result proved positive to drug ingestion.

Consequently, he was placed under excretion observation and in the process; he excreted 92 pellets of Heroin with a total weight of 1.300Kg,” the statement says. 

On Friday 16th of April, 2021, another trafficker, Ezekiel Chibuzo who arrived Lagos from Brazil on board Qatar airline was also arrested for drug ingestion. He has so far excreted 99 wraps of cocaine.

Also on 12th April 2021, during the inbound examination of consignments on Ethiopian airline cargo flight from South Africa, operatives at SAHCO import shed made a seizure of 11.550kg of Heroin cleverly packed and concealed in corn flakes cartons.

Four clearing agents are in custody in connection to the seizure.

According to the Commander, MMIA Command of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Garba, a sting operation was executed on the address provided by one the suspects.

In the process, a Congolese, Kayembe Kamba Mazepy was arrested. After his arrest, he mentioned another person who is to receive the parcel from him.

On the strength of the information, another sting operation was conducted in the early hours of Saturday 17th April, 2021 where the person that came to take delivery was arrested.

In a similar development, officers at export shed of the airport have also seized 822.950kg of khat leaves heading to UK and US.

Reacting to the latest drug haul at the airport, Chairman of NDLEA, Brig. General Mohamed Buba Marwa commended the officers and men of the MMIA Command for their commitment to the nations crusade against illicit drugs.

“While I commend the officers and men of our MMIA Command, let me again warn unrepentant barons and traffickers that the game is up for them because well continue to disrupt their criminal trade as part of efforts to secure our country and protect the future of our youths, Marwa stated in his message on Sunday,” he stated. 

Bala Elkana, Lagos State Police spokesman, who spoke on the arrest, said the suspects, whose names were not given as at press time, were nabbed on March 14 by policemen attached to Oke Odo Police Station, Lagos State Police Command.

Elkana said on that fateful day at about 10.30:am, operatives from Oke Odo Police Station on routine patrol along Lagos/Abeokuta expressway intercepted seven young men at Super Bus stop, Abule-Egba, Lagos.

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He said that upon questioning, they said that one Okechukwu, who resides in Ghana, collected money from them and promised to take them to Libya but upon reaching Nigeria, he abandoned them at Super Bus stop.

Three Ghanaian international passports and some capsules suspected to be illicit drugs were recovered from them. Investigation is ongoing, he added.

Kumiwaa has, for the first time, broken her silence on how she was wrongfully arrested and jailed for a crime she knew nothing about.

The actress appeared on Nana Ama Mcbrown‘s show to reveal how she’s had to suffer humiliation through an arrest by drug enforcement officials over drug trafficking in the U.S when she knew completely nothing about it.

Narrating her ordeal, Kumiwaa explained some men contacted her to shoot a movie with them in the United States but ended up depositing cocaine in her luggage.

According to her, she had no knowledge of what those men did until she was busted at the airport for drug trafficking.

Kumiwaa noted she was jailed over a year where she showed up in court once in every month until she was proven innocent and finally deported to Ghana.

” I was in shock when it dawned on me that the guys had used me for their dubious ways. I was placed in jail and made to report in court once every month. After one year and a month, I reported to the court and I was told that investigations conducted revealed that I was actually innocent and will be sent to Ghana after a week. I cried my heart out like a baby,” the veteran actress recounted.