NDLEA Bursts Blind Drugs Cartel Members, Recovers N13 Billion Tramadol

By Ayodele Oni

In continuation of war against illicit drugs, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) operatives have arrested three visually impaired individuals allegedly involved in illicit drugs.

Operations of the blind cartel, according to NDLEA, span Lagos and Kano, and had  N13 billion worth of Tramadol and Codeine.

NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi disclosed that another blind member of the syndicate is still at large.

He said that the group’s lid was blown off when Adamu Hassan, 40, a blind suspect, was apprehended on Saturday, October 28, while traveling from Lagos to Kano and carrying 12 kg of skunk.

“Investigations, however, established that he was totally oblivious of the content of the bag handed to him to deliver in Kano.

“Follow-up operations then led to the arrest of the arrowhead of the syndicate, Bello Abubakar, 45, who is also blind.

“In his statement, Bello, who is married with five children, said he has been living in Lagos for 30 years but started the illicit drug business five years ago.

“Another individual, Muktar Abubakar, aged 59, who is also visually impaired, has resided in Lagos for four decades and is married to three wives with 14 children.”

Babafemi further disclosed that both Muktar Abubakar and Bello Abubakar were co-owners of the operation.

Meanwhile, the third suspect, 25-year-old Akilu Amadu, who is also visually impaired, actively contributed funds to the illicit trade and was responsible for delivering the consignment to Adamu at the motor park in Lagos for onward transportation to Kano.