Five drug kingpins jailed for cocaine and opioid trafficking
Five notorious drug traffickers have each been sentenced to 21 years imprisonment by a Federal High Court after being found guilty of smuggling large quantities of cocaine and opioid-based drugs bound for Gabon and Australia. The judgment, delivered after a lengthy trial, also ordered the forfeiture of cash and luxury vehicles seized during their arrest to the Federal Government.
According to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the convicts were arrested in connection with an international smuggling network that specialized in exporting illegal substances hidden inside containers and private vehicles. The agency confirmed that investigations revealed the cartel had been operating for years, using sophisticated routes and coded communications to evade detection.
During the sentencing, the presiding judge emphasized the seriousness of the offence, stating that the actions of the convicts had contributed to the global drug crisis and posed a significant threat to public health and national security. The court also ruled that all assets traced to the proceeds of their illicit trade, including luxury cars and several high-value properties, be forfeited to the Federal Government as part of the punishment.
The NDLEA reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling transnational drug syndicates and ensuring that traffickers face the full weight of the law. The agency also warned individuals and groups involved in similar crimes that their activities would be uncovered, no matter how well concealed.
