Female Lawyer, Her Mum, Boyfriend, Herbalist, 3 Others Arrested Over Cocaine, Heroin Trafficking In Abia

A lawyer Adaobi Nweke, along with her mother, boyfriend, other family members, and their herbalist, were apprehended for involvement in the illegal drug trade, including substances such as cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, cannabis sativa, and precursor chemicals, in Abia State, southeast Nigeria.

The arrests took place during a joint operation conducted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and State Homeland Security around 11 pm on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, at 23 Arochukwu Street, Umuahia, the Abia State capital.

According to a statement signed by Femi Babafemi, NDLEA Director of Media & Advocacy, the illicit drug business was inherited by Adaobi Nweke from her late father.

"In Abia, a joint raid operation between the NDLEA and the State Homeland Security at 23 Arochukwu Street, Umuahia around 11 pm on Wednesday 14th February led to the arrest of Adaobi Nweke, 36, a female lawyer; her boyfriend, Emeka Nkemefola, 36; her mother, Mrs. Ngozi Nweke, 65; Dike Okpara, 43, the family's herbalist; Chukwudi Abel, 33, a family member; Amarachi Paul, 18, another family member, and their 22-year-old salesgirl, Blessing Jonathan.

"Further investigations revealed that the family had been involved in the illicit drug trade, which was passed down to them by their late father, Jonathan Nweke. Recovered from them at the time of their arrest were various quantities of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, cannabis sativa, and precursor chemicals, totaling 1.670kg, as well as N578,400 in cash.

"Additionally, a 25-year-old Uber driver, Joshua Henry, was intercepted by NDLEA operatives while attempting to deliver a consignment of 26.2 grams of cannabis sativa, known as Loud, from Abuja to a customer in Keffi, Nasarawa state on Monday, February 12.

"In the same operation, 54-year-old Dada Adedara was arrested in Dan Bare area of Kano State on Wednesday, February 14, with 468 blocks of cannabis weighing 246.4kg. On the same day, operatives in Ogun State apprehended Kafayat Junaid and Sakirat Osoanu with 13kg of cannabis sativa.

"Charles Chike, 45, was arrested by NDLEA operatives in a hotel in Lokoja, Kogi State, on Friday, February 16, with 290 blocks of compressed cannabis weighing 116kg. The drugs were concealed in the boot of a blue Honda Accord car marked Abuja ABC 853 SL, which originated from Ekiti state and was en route to Abuja.

Additionally, not less than 227kg of the same substance was recovered from Atoshi camp, Emure-Ile, Owo LGA, Ondo State, while two suspects, John Jonathan and Emmanuel Alex, were arrested.

"In the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, NDLEA operatives conducted raid operations in the Kubwa area, resulting in the arrest of Tawa Wasiu, 47, and Iliya Ibrahim, 18, with 10.5kg of cannabis, 13.5 grams of diazepam, and 2.9 grams of tramadol tablets. Another suspect, Yaro Bala, 27, was arrested on Thursday,

February 15, with 50.5kg of cannabis during a stop and search operation along Abaji/Abuja highway on his way from Auchi, Edo state, to Paiko, Niger State," the statement added.