The Nigerian National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested a suspected drug trafficker, described as a billionaire drug baron, while onboard a plane at Lagos’ main airport.
In a statement on Monday, April 25, the NDLEA said investigations so far have revealed that Chief Afam Mallinson Emmanuel Ukatu was behind the N3 billion Tramadol deal involving suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari-led Intelligence Response Team.
The suspect “was eventually nabbed onboard a flight to Abuja at the MM2 terminal of the Lagos airport, Ikeja on Wednesday 13th April”, the agency stated.
This followed months of surveillance and evading arrest.
The suspect, according to the NDLEA, came under watch last year after five cartons of Tramadol 225 mg were seized from his staff on May 4th, 2021, when he sent them to sell to an undercover police officer.
According to the NDLEA, “… he’s been a major importer of large consignments of different brands and high dosages of Tramadol Hydrochloride, ranging from 120mg, 200mg, 225mg, and 250mg, all of which are illicit.”
In addition to all these allegations, Uktaku is also alleged to be “… operating 103 bank accounts, most of which are used to launder money.”
SOURCE: africanews.com
Additional sources • NDLEA
