LAGOS/Nigeria: Operatives of the Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan, Lagos, have uncovered 425 bags of substances suspected to be Canadian Loud during a major anti-drug operation in the Mende area of Maryland, Lagos, in what authorities described as a significant breakthrough against organised drug trafficking.
Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 2, Mr Olohundare Jimoh, disclosed the development while briefing journalists on the operation carried out by detectives attached to the Zonal Criminal Investigation Department (ZCID), Onikan.
According to the AIG, the operation was launched following credible intelligence from a concerned citizen over alleged drug trafficking activities linked to a 41-year-old suspected drug kingpin.
Jimoh said detectives immediately commenced surveillance operations which lasted several months before the suspect was eventually tracked and arrested on May 19.
He explained that during interrogation, the suspect led operatives to a three-bedroom apartment located at No. 10 Olori Adekemi Ajibola Street, Arowojobe Estate, Mende, Maryland, allegedly used as a warehouse for storing illicit substances.
A search of the apartment reportedly led to the recovery of 425 bags containing substances suspected to be Canadian Loud, concealed inside one of the rooms.
Preliminary investigations, according to the police, revealed that the suspect allegedly operated under the guise of selling thermal paper rolls commonly used by Point of Sale (POS) operators for printing transaction receipts.
“The suspect uses online platforms to trade and distribute the prohibited substances within and outside Lagos State,” Jimoh said.
The police command also recovered three vehicles allegedly fitted with forged special number plates and reportedly used to evade security scrutiny during transportation activities.
Recovered vehicles included two BYD electric vehicles bearing forged presidency number plates marked NYCN 98SE and one Leopard hybrid vehicle carrying a forged presidency plate marked NYCN 10SE.
Other items recovered during the operation included three Android mobile phones, a Republic of Liberia resident permit card, two ATM cards and an Emporio Armani wristwatch.
The AIG disclosed that investigations had been intensified to track down other suspected members of the syndicate and dismantle the wider network behind the operation.
He assured the public that all individuals linked to the alleged drug ring would be brought to justice, adding that the suspect would be arraigned upon completion of investigations.
