NDLEA Arraigns 2 Persons For Engaging In Drug Trafficking
The National Drug Laws Enforcement Agency NDLEA, on Wednesday, arraigned a man identified as Ilomuanya Uzoma, popularly called Uzo, before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, for allegedly operating and financing a hard drug cartel, Drug Trafficking Organisation, DTO.
Uzoma who is 49 years of age and also a prince of Obinuagwu community in Orlu Local Government of Imo State, was arraigned before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos alongside another man identified as Okeagu Michael 26, also known as Uwa, before Justice Saliu Saidu of the Federal High Court.
Both Uzo and Micheal are standing trial on a five count-charge bordering on conspiracy, operating a drug cartel, production of methamphetamine, and unlawful possession of the banned drug respectively.
The second defendant identified as Michael, and others who are at large, was also alleged to have assisted the first defendant, Uzo, in transferring funds which are alleged proceeds of the drugs, to his and his company named Ugojess International Limited bank accounts.
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The prosecutor identified as Lambert Nor, informed the court that the defendants were apprehended with 77.960 kilogrammes of methamphetamine in two drug laboratories located at Obinugwu Village, Orlu Local Government Area at 3, Barrister Declan Uzoma Close, New Owerri, Imo State, on November 9, 2018, where they manufactured the banned substance in large quantities.
Lambert Nor further stated that the items that were recovered from the defendants, included bags of sodium hydroxide, bags of caustic soda pearls, mantle beaters, white nylon bags, gas burners, channel hoses, electronic weighing scales, protective masks, plastic funnels and others.
The offences which were committed by Uzo and Micheal, are contrary to and punishable under sections 11(a), 20(1)(e), 20(1)(f), 20(1)(g) and 14(b), of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N 30 Laws of The Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The defendants, Uzo and Micheal, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges brought before them.
