Transborder drug trafficker arrested with N1 billion worth of cocaine

A 36-year-old suspected transborder drug trafficker, Nkem Timothy, alias Auwalu Audu, has been arrested in Sokoto by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) while trying to cross to Algeria through Niger Republic with 62 wraps of substance suspected to be cocaine.

The illicit drug was neatly concealed inside yoghurt bottles.

Director, Media & Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Mr Femi Babafemi, who made these known in a statement in Abuja on Sunday, said the substance which weighed 1.550kg, has an estimated street value of about N1billion.

Babafemi said according to the acting state Commander of NDLEA in Sokoto, Bamidele Segun, the suspect was intercepted on a motorcycle around the baggage area at Illela border while trying to cross to Niger Republic.

The suspect, he said, resides in Algeria.

“He was found with an ECOWAS passport with different name written as Auwalu Audu but he gave his real name as Nkem Timothy”, the Commander stated.

He said his men had commenced further investigation to unravel his sponsor and other members of the transborder drug cartel.

“This is a ground breaking feat for us in the Command as seizure of this magnitude of type A drug (cocaine) has never been made in Sokoto Command before”, he added.

“Meanwhile, the Adamawa state Command of the Agency has also arrested one Umar Mohammed with 82 blocks of compressed cannabis sativa weighing 70kg at Lafiya Lamurde area of Adamawa state.

“In his reaction to the seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brig. General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) has commended the two Commands and charged them to remain vigilant and ensure no illict drug goes in or out of their areas of responsibility,” the statement reads.