NDLEA nabs head of a cocaine distribution cartel in Lagos

The head of a cocaine distribution cartel, Ndive Maxwell Obinna, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.

The 42-year-old was arrested with five of his associates at Ago Palace Way in Okota, Isolo, Lagos.

A total of 2.412 kilograms of cocaine were recovered from them.

Other members of the drug trafficking organization arrested along Obinna include: Okeke Gloria Ifeoma who is the syndicate’s stash keeper; Ikechebelu Emmanuel Chibuzor; Okorie Onyedikachi; Okonkwo Nnabugo Prince; and Okafor Blessing Anita.

In a related development, another drug syndicate operated by a Chinese man, 58-year-old Tianzhen Yen (alias Jackie) has been dismantled by NDLEA operatives.

The NDLEA operatives achieved their goals after arresting Jackie at his hotel in Ikeja area of Lagos.

Officers of the Seme Special Area Command of the Agency had on Thursday 21st November intercepted a 40-year-old suspect, Yakubu Emmanuel Mark in a commercial bus going to Ghana at the Gbaji checkpoint along Badagry-Seme expressway based on credible intelligence.

When he was searched, a total of 750grams of cocaine were found in his bag.

A swift follow up operation was organized to trace and arrest the kingpin behind the trans-border drug trafficking syndicate, who turned out to be a Chinese citizen, Tianzhen Yen.

He was eventually traced to MC Hotel behind Alade market, Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos.

When his hotel room was searched, 4.3grams of cocaine; a gram of methamphetamine; two electronic weighing scales; and Chinese National Identification Number Card, among other exhibits were recovered while he was arrested in the vicinity of the hotel.