Crime
Surinamese gets 13 years jail term for drug offence
Surinamese gets 13 years jail term for drug offence
As NDLEA secures conviction of 1,445 drug traffickers in six months
By: Michael Mike
A 34-year-old South American man from Suriname has been sentenced to 13 years prison term for smuggling drug into Nigeria.
The man, whose name was given as Dadda Lorenzo Harvy Albert, was arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Rivers state for bringing into Nigeria 117 parcels of cocaine concealed in extra-large latex condoms factory packed inside bottles of 100ml body spray, taken to court subsequently found guilty and sentenced to 13 years in prison.
According to a statement on Wednesday by the spokesman of the NDLEA, the accused who claimed he departed his country, Suriname, located in the North Eastern coast of South America on 2nd April for Sao Paulo, Brazil and from Sao Paulo to Nigeria on Friday 7th April, 2023 on board Qatar Airways flight in search of his long-lost Nigerian father whom he called “Omini”, was arraigned before Justice E.A. Obile of the Federal High Court 2, Port Harcourt on 1st June on two counts of importation and unlawful possession of 9.9 kilogrammes cocaine in charge number FHC/PH/181C/23.
READ ALSO: https://dailypost.ng/2023/08/02/niger-tribunal-set-to-give-ruling-on-17-petitions-445-exhibits/
The Surinamese however pleaded guilty to the two-count charge and after the review of the facts of the case on Thursday 20th July, he was convicted and sentenced to 13 years imprisonment on both counts without an option of fine.
In his ruling, Justice Obile declared that “You Dadda Lorenzo Harvy Albert is hereby sentenced to 13 years imprisonment without option of fine on Count 1 and Count 2 also. And both shall run concurrently.”
The trial judge also ordered the forfeiture of the sum of US$90 R$10 (Brazilian Real) recovered from the convict at the time of his arrest to the Federal Government. The court equally refused the application by Lorenzo’s Counsel for him to be deported back to his country. As a result, the convict is now serving his term of imprisonment at the Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
According to Babafemi, the successful prosecution and conviction of Lorenzo is one of the 1,445 drug cases concluded at the Federal High Court across the country between January and June 2023 by the Directorate of Prosecution and Legal Services of NDLEA with the trial of a total of 11,166 other drug suspects ongoing in court.
He said out of the 1,445 convicts, 221 of them are female while the balance of 1,541 are male; and of the 11,166 pending cases, 10,626 of them are men while the rest, 540 are women.
Babafemi said the 1,445 convicts and 11,166 suspects who are still facing trial were arrested and charged to court over the seizure of 555,953.70 kilogrammes of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, cannabis, tramadol and others linked to them between January and June 2023.
Meanwhile, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) commended officers and men of the prosecution department for a job well done.
He however charged them to remain committed to diligent prosecution of all pending cases in court, adding that conviction and sentencing without the option of fine is a strong deterrence to offenders and anyone contemplating going into any crime.
Surinamese gets 13 years jail term for drug offence
Troops Repel Terrorists in Yobe, Recover Communication Equipment and Bicycles
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops and local vigilante members have repelled an attack by suspected terrorists in Kanama, Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State, following intelligence reports on insurgent movements in the area.
Security sources said the operation was conducted in the early hours of June 15 after troops of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Kanama, supported by vigilante personnel, acted on credible intelligence indicating the presence of suspected ISWAP/JAS terrorists within the community.
The joint patrol team reportedly made contact with the insurgents at about 3:15 a.m., leading to an exchange of gunfire.
According to the sources, the terrorists were forced to retreat towards the Sambisa axis after coming under pressure from the security forces.
Items recovered from the scene included nine bicycles, one Baofeng radio set, a mobile phone, three pairs of slippers and three locally made water bottles believed to have been abandoned by the fleeing insurgents.
One member of the vigilante group sustained a gunshot wound during the encounter and was evacuated to a medical facility for treatment.
The recovered items have been taken into custody for further exploitation and investigation.
Military authorities said troops remain on heightened alert and are continuing operations aimed at denying terrorist groups freedom of movement across the North-East region.
Troops Repel Terrorists in Yobe, Recover Communication Equipment and Bicycles
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace Arrest Two Suspected Drug Peddlers in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have arrested two suspected drug peddlers during a stop-and-search operation at Sabon Gari checkpoint in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources said the suspects, identified as Mr. Jerry Joshua, 45, and Mr. Williams Nwaso, 54, were intercepted at about 6:00 a.m. on June 15 at the checkpoint.
The troops, who were conducting routine security checks, reportedly discovered a large quantity of substances suspected to be cannabis sativa in their possession.
The suspects and the recovered exhibits have been taken into custody for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Security authorities said the arrest is part of ongoing efforts by Operation Enduring Peace to curb drug trafficking and other criminal activities within Plateau State.
Investigations are ongoing.
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace Arrest Two Suspected Drug Peddlers in Plateau
Troops Discover Corpse Along Road in Bokkos, Plateau State
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have discovered the corpse of a man along a road in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources said the troops of Sector 5, Bokkos, responded at about 9:45 a.m. on June 15 following a report of a suspicious object along the Butura Kampani–Mandung road.
On arrival at the scene, the troops reportedly found the body of a man later identified as Mr. Dasharo Haruna, from Maihakorin Gold Village in Bokkos Local Government Area.
The corpse was subsequently evacuated by Keystone Bokkos Division for necessary procedures.
Security authorities said investigations have commenced to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The general area has since been secured, while efforts are ongoing to maintain peace and prevent any breakdown of law and order.
Troops Discover Corpse Along Road in Bokkos, Plateau State
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