Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Caryn Dolley
Published on 2024-02-26 21:59:22
The discovery of cocaine and cannabis in shipping containers from Durban in Nigeria has led to the unraveling of a syndicate involved in smuggling pistols, ammunition, and military-style items. On Sunday, 25 February 2024, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Nigeria announced the arrest of three suspects, shedding light on an organized criminal network responsible for importing illicit drugs and weapons from South Africa to the Tincan seaport in Lagos.
The three arrested suspects were identified as Falowa Samuel Kayode, Anjorin Idowu, and Uzairu Ahmed Iguda, with another suspect, Mohammed Muktar Sule, still at large. Investigations revealed that the criminal network’s key players in South Africa were Odeyemi Taiwo Emmanuel, Akinyemi Olayinka, and Adebayo Adewole Emmanuel, all of whom are now wanted by the NDLEA.
Law enforcement officers in Nigeria had received prior information about suspicious containers from South Africa and Canada. In January, containers from Durban were found to contain not only household goods but also illegal items, including cocaine, synthetic cannabis (Colorado), pistols, ammunition, and military equipment. The investigation uncovered that the containers from Durban were being used to transport these illicit items into Nigeria.
Further investigations in February led to the discovery of additional bags of Colorado weighing 192.7kg, along with a pistol and ammunition. It was suspected that the arrested men, along with the yet-to-be-detained organizer Sule, were involved in moving the illegal items between containers. Despite their efforts to conceal the drugs and weapons, law enforcement managed to uncover them.
The Port of Durban has been a hotspot for trafficking activities, with international criminals using it as a gateway for smuggling operations. Maritime routes have become a preferred choice for narco-traffickers to smuggle illegal substances, leading to heightened security concerns at the country’s harbors. Recent interceptions of cocaine shipments from Brazil at Durban harbor highlight the challenges faced by authorities in combating cross-border crime.
In conclusion, the ongoing investigations into the smuggling syndicate operating between Durban and Nigeria underscore the need for enhanced cooperation among law enforcement agencies to combat transnational organized crime. The arrests made in connection with the illegal imports serve as a warning to criminals involved in such activities that their illicit operations will not go unnoticed or unpunished.
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