NDLEA arrests drug baron, Fela's widow

A 39 year old suspected major drug trafficker who attempted to smuggle 1.5kg of whitish powder that tested positive for cocaine, in milk containers at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos has been arrested by operatives of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).The suspect, George Mike Adelabu was apprehended during the outward clearance of passengers on an Emirate flight to India.

The drug was factory packed in liquid milk containers among other tin food products suggestive of a complex drug trafficking network. The anti-drug Agency has launched intense investigation into the seizure describing it as shocking.

In a similar development, officials of NDLEA have arrested a widow of late music icon, Fela Anikulapo Kuti alongside a lady who was a former dancer and a man, at her Ikeja residence. A total of 340 grammes of dried weeds of cannabis were recovered from the suspects during search.Alhaji Sule Aliyu disclosed that it was made following a tip-off. He gave the names of the suspects as Najite Anikulapo Kuti, 45 years, found with 50 grammes of cannabis, Helen Richards, 36 years, found with 170 grammes of cannabis and Mike Arinze, 26 years, found with 120 grammes of cannabis. "The suspects were arrested at Gbemisola Street Ikeja. The substances recovered from them tested positive for cannabis" the Commander stated.

The wife of the late music icon, Najite Anikulapo Kuti who sells drinks at her Ikeja residence was found in possession of 50 grammes of dried weeds that tested positive for cannabis. She blamed her involvement on temptation. Najite who hails from Delta State has a daughter for the late music legend. While struggling to prevent tears, she stated that "this temptation should been resisted by me".

Helen Richards who used to be dancer with Fela said that she sells cannabis to sustain herself. The single mother with a 3 year old son was found in possession of 170 grammes of cannabis. In her words, "it was the demand of my customers that pushed me into cannabis trade. Most of them prefer to smoke hemp when drinking beer". Helen hails from Abi in Delta State.

The last suspect, Mike Arinze who in his confessional statement said that he sells cannabis in night clubs was found with 120 grammes hemp in his pockets at the time of the arrest. "I was drinking beer at Mama’s place when the officers came and found the hemp in my pockets. I used to sell hemp in night clubs to survive" he stated. He hails from Asaba in Delta State.

Also arrested was a hair stylist Samuel Aminat Abiodun who deals in jewelleries and a trader Nkpachi Pedro Collins, 41. Aminat who is a 44 year old divorcee with three children lives at Ikorodu area of Lagos South West Nigeria. She was arrested during the outward screening of passengers on an Emirate flight to India at the departure hall of the Lagos airport. During a careful examination of the bag some suspected powdery substances concealed in the bag were recovered. When weighed and tested, 800 grammes were found to be cocaine while 5.5kg proved positive for ephedrine