Two ladies and two men wanted in connection with over 16,000 kilograms (16 tons) of illicit drugs intercepted in Lagos, Abuja and Netherlands have been arrested by operatives of the National Drug law Enforcement Agency.
They are Aro Aderinde, Hauwawu Bashiru, Basirat Adebisi Yahaya and Monday Michael.
NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi in a statement said 48-year-old Aro Aderinde was arrested in Lagos on Sunday, October 16th.
He was arrested over his involvement in the export of 3,149kgs cannabis sativa concealed in coconut fibres via container number MSKU 1820587.
In the same vein, Hauwawu Bashiru and Basirat Adebisi Yahaya linked to the attempt to export 90 kilograms of methamphetamine through Pastor Anietie Okon Effiong of Promise of Zion Church, Oron, Akwa Ibom state, were equally arrested in Lagos and moved to Uyo to face charges along with the clergyman.
Pastor Effiong was earlier arrested on Saturday 6th August.
He also revealed the arrest of 45 yrs old Monday Micheal, a notorious drug dealer in the Mushin-Isolo axis of Lagos.
Babafemi said Michael was also arrested on Monday 17th October while conveying 365.7kgs of cannabis in two Toyota Sienna space buses marked FST 189 FD and FST 273 GF.
Another drug lord, Abdulkadir Mohammed, 47, wanted over the seizure of 5,640kgs cannabis at a warehouse in Chukuku area of Kuje, Abuja, was nabbed on Sunday 16th October, following the arrest of his wife, Saadatu Abdullahi, 35, who was found at the store when it was raided.
Reacting to the arrests, NDLEA Chairman/ Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) said the arrest of the fleeing drug kingpins is a warning signal to those still in the criminal illicit drug trade that the long arm of the law will soon catch up with them.
He charged officers and men across all commands to intensify the heat on the drug cartels until they are dismantled.
