The suspects were arrested following a two-week intelligence operation in Lagos, Abia and Anambra states.
Five members of an international drug syndicate with networks in parts of Nigeria, South Africa and Thailand have been arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The suspects were arrested following a two-week intelligence operation in Lagos, Abia and Anambra states.
Femi Babafemi, NDLEA Director of Media & Advocacy disclosed in a statement signed on Sunday that the arrest followed the seizure of their illicit drug consignments at the NAHCO import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
Part of the statement reads, "The unravelling of the drug cartel started on Sunday 20th April when their cargo of four big suitcases arrived at the NAHCO shed on an Air Peace airline flight from Johannesburg, South Africa.
“After days of close monitoring and investigation, the first suspect, Umeh Chisom Peter was arrested on Wednesday 24th April after he showed up to pick two of the suitcases containing Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis owned by a Thailand-based member of the syndicate, Obum Michael.
"The consignment of four parcels was concealed in false bottoms of the two suitcases, while the four suitcases contain a total of 17.6 kilograms Loud and drug candies.
"Another member of the syndicate, Mrs. Chiwendu Uche Ugbe whose South Africa-based husband, Aloytus Uche Ugbe sent some of the consignments, was traced to Anambra state where NDLEA officers arrested her on Saturday 27th April while attempting to collect the drug parcels sent to her by her husband.
"Two other suspects: Onyejakor Francis Chimezie and Naaji Valentine Chukwukere, with links to the cartel were also arrested in parts of Lagos on Monday 29th April.
“Their arrest led to another operation in Abia state where Mrs. Chinazo Osigwe was arrested when she was to pick up some of the parcels containing Loud and drug candies sent by her husband, Osigwe Chidiebere Anthony who is equally operating from South Africa."