NDLEA: Ex-Convict Allegedly Returned to Drug Trade After Changing His Name

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency says it has arrested a former drug convict who allegedly returned to trafficking after changing his name.

The suspect, identified as 34-year-old Dunu Bethel Ebubechukwu, was arrested in Lagos following an investigation into an international cocaine shipment.

The NDLEA said 1.2 kilogrammes of cocaine was intercepted on July 31 after being concealed inside phone chargers.

The consignment was allegedly being sent to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The agency’s Directorate of Operations and General Investigation subsequently began tracing the shipment.

After weeks of intelligence gathering, investigators allegedly linked the consignment to Ebubechukwu.

He was arrested at Article Market, opposite Trade Fair Market, in Ojo.

The agency said a search of his Ejigbo residence produced phone chargers similar to those allegedly used to conceal the cocaine.

According to the NDLEA, the chargers had their internal components removed to make room for the drugs.

Investigators also alleged that Ebubechukwu discarded his telephone SIM card after learning that the cocaine shipment had been intercepted.

The agency said the suspect’s background made the case especially significant.

The NDLEA said he was first arrested in 2011 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

At that time, the agency alleged that he had swallowed 900 grammes of cocaine and 130 grammes of heroin while attempting to travel to Austria.

He was later convicted and sentenced to five years in prison.

After completing his sentence, the NDLEA said he changed his name from Dunu Chukwuyenre Enoch to Dunu Bethel Ebubechukwu.

The agency alleged that he subsequently became involved in drug trafficking again.

The latest arrest came during a wider anti-drug operation covering several states.

The NDLEA reported seizures of cannabis, cocaine, tramadol and other controlled substances during the operations.

In Lagos, the agency said officers recovered large quantities of cannabis, cocaine, tramadol, codeine syrup and Rohypnol.

In another operation, officers at the Lagos airport recovered 966,200 tablets of tramadol 225mg allegedly concealed among thrift trousers.

The consignment was said to have originated from Pakistan.

In Ondo State, a fuel tanker allegedly abandoned by its driver was found to contain 165 bags of cannabis weighing 2,145 kilogrammes.

The agency also reported a seizure of cannabis-laced cookies and gummies at Tin Can Island Port.

These operations form part of the NDLEA’s efforts to disrupt trafficking networks operating through airports, seaports, roads and other channels.

The agency has increasingly emphasised intelligence gathering and follow-up investigations in identifying people allegedly responsible for organising drug shipments.

In the Lagos case, investigators reportedly continued working after the initial cocaine seizure before arresting the suspect weeks later.

The NDLEA said its chairman, Buba Marwa, commended officers involved in the operations and urged them to maintain the intelligence-led approach.

The allegations against Ebubechukwu remain subject to judicial determination.