The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has apprehended 59-year-old Ogbonnaya Kevin Jeff, a high-profile drug baron who had been evading capture for 17 years.
Jeff, who had two Interpol Red Notices issued against him in 2023 and 2024, was arrested at his hideout in Ojo, Lagos. NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), confirmed the arrest in Abuja, underscoring the agency’s unwavering commitment to dismantling international drug syndicates.
“Ogbonnaya Kevin Jeff is not just a domestic drug trafficker; he is an international cartel leader actively smuggling illicit substances into South Korea and laundering drug proceeds through imported goods,” Marwa stated.
Investigations revealed that Jeff had previously served a prison sentence in South Korea in 2007 before being deported to Nigeria in 2008. Undeterred, he continued orchestrating drug trafficking operations, recruiting young Nigerians as couriers and coordinating shipments worth over N1.4 billion.
During the raid on his residence, NDLEA operatives recovered multiple Nigerian passports with Korean visas and illicit substances. Authorities have also linked Jeff to drug networks spanning Cameroon, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Liberia, and other African nations.
With outstanding arrest warrants from the Seoul Central District Court, Jeff now faces possible extradition and a maximum life sentence in South Korea.
Reaffirming the agency’s resolve, Marwa declared, “No drug baron will find Nigeria a safe haven for their illicit trade.”
Comments