NDLEA Nabs ‘Warri Kinsman,’ Intercepts $17.7M Travelers’ Cheques

Lagos, Nigeria – The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has made significant breakthroughs in its fight against drug trafficking, apprehending a notorious drug kingpin and intercepting a massive cache of suspected counterfeit travelers’ cheques.

Operatives arrested Ajetsibo Emami, also known as ‘Warri Kinsman’, on Saturday, June 28th, in Ikeja, Lagos. This arrest followed a three-day operation that dismantled his drug trafficking network, leading to the apprehension of three other suspects.

According to Femi Babafemi, NDLEA’s Director of Media & Advocacy, agents recovered 24 jumbo bags containing 681 pouches of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis weighing 414.2 kilograms, from Emami’s network. The bust was a result of credible intelligence indicating his attempt to transport the shipment to Lekki, Lagos, for onward distribution across the state and country.

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In a separate operation at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos, on Wednesday, July 2nd, NDLEA operatives intercepted Aburemi Hysent, a frequent flyer specializing in conveying goods between Nigeria and Italy. Hysent was found to have concealed 7,660 pills of tramadol (225mg and 200mg) within food items destined for Italy. He reportedly confessed he was promised 800 euros for the successful delivery of the drug consignment.

Further interdiction at the MMIA export shed on Friday, July 4th, saw NDLEA operatives seize 52 pieces of travelers’ cheques worth 17,700,000 Australian dollars. The cheques, suspected to be counterfeit, were cleverly hidden in children’s books and were bound for Malaysia via Istanbul on a Turkish Airlines flight. A freight agent, Bolarinwa Saheed, has been arrested in connection with this discovery. Saheed and the suspected counterfeit cheques will be transferred to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation.