NDLEA arrests, repatriates fugitive drug kingpin over 49.7kg heroin seizure

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested and repatriated Festus Ibewuike, alias Chidibest Ibewuike, a suspected cause kingpin who had evaded apprehension for much than 2 years pursuing the interception of the largest heroin consignment ever recorded astatine the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

The NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this successful a connection on Wednesday.

Babafemi said Ibewuike had relocated to Mozambique, wherever helium allegedly operated a edifice concern arsenic a front, aft helium was declared wanted and charged successful absentia alongside 2 different suspects.

According to him, the suspects were declared wanted pursuing a coordinated 12-day cognition by operatives of the Agency’s MMIA Strategic Command successful February 2024, during which 49.70kg of heroin concealed successful cartons of metal-cutting machines was intercepted astatine the import shed of the airport’s cargo terminal.

The cognition led to the apprehension of cardinal members of the syndicate, including Ibewuike’s wife, Confidence Ndidiamaka Ibewuike, who allegedly routinely received drug-laden parcels marked with the codification “ND” connected his behalf.

The bureau besides said 107 slope accounts were frozen and properties linked to the cartel forfeited.

The suspects were subsequently charged earlier Justice A...