NDLEA arrests real estate CEO allegedly leading a drug cartel
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer(CCEO), Trans Fortress Global Resources, for alleged illicit drug business.
Femi Babafemi, Director Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, said in a statement on Sunday in Abuja that the suspect had been on NDLEA watchlist since 2025 following credible intelligence.
Babafemi said that the 57-year-old drug kingpin was arrested at his Safe Court Apartment residence in Ikate, Lekki Lagos on Thursday, Feb. 12 after sustained surveillance soon after his return from the United Kingdom.
He said that a search of his residence led to the recovery of four large bags containing parcels of Canadian Loud, a strong strain of cannabis with a total weight of 89.20kg.
“Also recovered from him at the point of his arrest was a 2024 model Toyota Hilux.
“In his statement, he claimed he got involved in the illicit drug trade after financing some consignments for his overseas associate.
“He said hundreds of millions of naira paid to him as profit by his associate motivated him to establish his own independent drug distribution channel,”Babafemi said.
In another interdiction operation in Lagos, the NDLEA spokesman said that a suspect was nabbed with 56kg skunk at Agbara on Thursday, Feb. 19.
Babafemi said that another suspected drug trafficker was caught with 76kg of same substance at a motor park in Oshodi on Tuesday, Feb. 17.
Meanwhile, at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex, Onne, Rivers state, Babafemi said that a total of 170, 900 bottles of codeine-based syrup were discovered in a container.
This, he said, was during a joint examination of the shipment by NDLEA officers, Customs and other security agencies.
“The request by NDLEA for a 100 per cent physical examination and search of the container followed processed intelligence on the shipment,”he said.
Marwa said that their operational successes and those of their compatriots across the country especially their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts were well appreciated.