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NDLEA apprehends hotelier Frank Ibemesi, allegedly running a major drug network from Ago Palace Way, Lagos.
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Operatives recover 1,762.8kg of Loud and foreign currencies during a coordinated special operation.
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Agency intercepts additional 11,135kg of processed skunk in Osun State, arrests seven suspects, and seizes two trucks.
Operatives of the Special Operations Unit of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a suspected drug kingpin, Frank Chijioke Ibemesi, popularly known as Chisco Bee, after weeks of intelligence gathering and surveillance on his alleged narcotics operations.
In a statement released on Sunday, November 16, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi said the 42-year-old businessman, who serves as the MD/CEO of Franc CJ Ibemesi Nig. Ltd, was picked up at his Daisy Garden Hotel located at 66–68 Agbeke Street, Ago Palace Way, Isolo, Lagos in the early hours of Saturday, November 15.
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Babafemi explained that operatives immediately moved the suspect to his warehouse at 7 Pius Ezeobi Street, off Ago Palace Way, where they recovered 42 jumbo bags and four cartons of Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, weighing 1,762.8 kilograms.
Cash found in his possession at the point of arrest included $11,600, 2,000 British Pounds, 2,200 Euros, and 50 Canadian dollars.
READ ALSO: My Second NDLEA Tenure Will Be Hell for Drug Traffickers — Mohamed Marwa
In a related operation, NDLEA officers foiled an attempt by a drug syndicate operating in the Orita-Apeje, Araromi-Okeodo forest reserve in Ife South LGA, Osun State to load and distribute 11,135 kilograms of processed skunk. The interception occurred on Tuesday, November 11, after several days of surveillance in the forest.
Two trucks designated for transporting the illicit substance — a Volvo truck (WWR 29 XA) and a Mercedes truck (AWK 713 YZ) — were confiscated, while seven suspects were arrested. Those currently in custody are Lucky Abiodun, Julius Amos, Victor Ngbikili, Sunday Oduegwu, Ibrahim Akanni, Eze Godstime, and Fred Ifeanyichukwu.
The NDLEA reiterated that the operations form part of its intensified crackdown on large-scale drug cartels across the country.
