Cartel paid kingpin N6m weekly

THE National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a Colombian drug lord and seven Nigerians who specialise in the production of methamphetamine in some parts of the country.

Chairman of NDLEA, Alhaji Ahmadu Giade who addressed newsmen in Lagos Thursday on the issues, also voiced concern over the health and security implication of illegal methamphetamine production in Nigeria.

This followed the discovery of three production factories in Lagos and Anambra States. Giade described the new wave of drug racketeering as sad and worrisome.

Our investigation has shown that the Colombian methamphetamine production expert, Gonzelo Osorio a.k.a Fabian Arcila or Baez Benitez Milan, was invited to establish three clandestine laboratories on a $38,000 (about N6 million) weekly contract. This is sad and worrisome. It is a clarion call on stakeholders to pay priority attention on this dangerous twist in our nations drug trade, he said.

Narcotics investigators have arrested seven Nigerian members of the criminal gang who are helping NDLEA in further investigations. The suspects are Gonzelo Osorio, Gabriel Onyebuchi Obi, Anthony Ebi, Olisa Cyprian Onyebuchukwu, Mickey Ezeokoli, Solomon Ogbonna and Chidi Alexandra Efeagwazi.

Twelve vehicles belonging to suspected members of the cartel have been confiscated. In addition, four houses have also been traced to the criminal group by the agency.

The undercover operation which led to the crackdown on the criminal gang, according to Giade, commenced in November 2011 when Gonzelo Osorio was contracted by a Nigerian drug syndicate to establish three methamphetamine production laboratories in different parts of the country.

He described the operation as one of the best coordinated in terms of duration, expertise and professionalism by the agency.

Source: The Guardian 27/12/12

Kudos to NDLEA.

Good.