NDLEA nabs fugitive drug baron linked to 49.70kg heroin seizure

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested and repatriated suspected drug kingpin Festus Ibewuike, wanted over 49.70kg of heroin intercepted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, according to The Nation. NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi said Ibewuike was arrested at Cotonou airport in Benin Republic on September 2, following intelligence cooperation with INTERPOL, and handed over to NDLEA operatives two days later.

He had evaded arrest for over two years by moving between Mozambique, Benin Republic and Nigeria under a changed name. The heroin, described as the largest such seizure at the airport, was found concealed in metal-cutting machine cartons in February 2024. NDLEA chairman Buba Marwa said the arrest proved fleeing suspects would eventually be caught.