NDLEA Nabs Drug Syndicate
NDLEA Nabs Drug Syndicate
National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has dismantled a
six-man methamphetamine syndicate. The members of the syndicate
were arrested in connection with a total of 309 kilograms of
ephedrine and a clandestine laboratory. The arrested suspects are
Okeke Chukwunwike Celestine, Ezeagba Paul Sunday and Ike Chukwuma
Samson. Others are Eze Christopher Ikechukwu, Nwokolo Amobi Sunday
and Adelakun Ilelabayo Oluade.
The drug trafficking organization is specialized in the illegal
importation of ephedrine to run methamphetamine laboratory in
Nigeria, especially in the Eastern and Western parts of
Nigeria.
Upon tip-off, Enugu State Command of the Agency had intercepted
100 kilograms of Ephedrine, a precursor chemical for the production
of methamphetamine. Upon follow-up, the Command discovered that the
precursor chemical is being used by a clandestine methamphetamine
laboratory located at Trans- Ekulu Estate in Enugu. The Laboratory
has been dismantled by the Agency.
Further investigation led to the arrest of the three other
members of the syndicate in FESTAC Town in Lagos from whom 209
kilograms of the illicit ephedrine was recovered, bringing the
total ephedrine seizure to 309 and total arrest to six suspected
persons.
Only last year, the Agency also discovered another clandestine
laboratories in Enugu and Imo States leading to the destruction of
20 kilograms discovered in Enugu and 77.960 kilograms in Imo.
This brings to 16 the number of Methamphetamine laboratories so
far discovered in Nigeria between 2011 and 2018. Methamphetamine is
an emerging drug clandestinely produced in the country. It is a
highly addictive substance that affects the central nervous system.
It gives a false sense of well-being and energy. The continued use
of the drug creates several negative effects and irreversible
harm.
In 2011, Nigeria acquired the status of Methamphetamine producer
nation through the discovery of the first methamphetamine
laboratory in Lagos. Other laboratories were discovered in the
following states, Lagos, Anambra and Delta States. The discoveries
of these laboratories across the country, apart from the fact that
Nigeria is highest producer of cannabis in West Africa, portends a
grave danger for the country and its image which invariably affects
the national security of the nation.
Methamphetamine is an illegal drug in the same class as cocaine
and other powerful street drugs. It has many nicknames—meth, crank,
chalk or speed. It is a white crystalline drug that people take by
snorting it (inhaling through the nose), smoking it or injecting it
with a needle. Some even take it orally, but all develop a strong
desire to continue using it because the drug creates a false sense
of happiness and well-being—a rush (strong feeling) of confidence,
hyper-activeness and energy. One also experiences decreased
appetite. These drug effects generally last from six to eight
hours, but can last up to twenty-four hours. The first experience
might involve some pleasure, but from the start, methamphetamine
begins to destroy the user’s life.
Methamphetamine production also has a devastating impact on the
environment where the clandestine laboratory is located. It
pollutes the air, ground water, soil and the vegetation within the
locality of the meth laboratory while posing a great threat to
human security.
Jonah Achema, ACN
Principal Staff Officer, Public Affairs