Hair Stylist and Dispatch Rider Arrested for Selling Drug-laced Snacks in Bayelsa State

In a recent crackdown on illicit drug activities, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has apprehended a hair stylist and a dispatch rider for their involvement in distributing drug-laced snacks to students and party-goers in Yenagoa, the capital city of Bayelsa State, Nigeria.

According to Femi Babafemi, the Director of Media & Advocacy for NDLEA, the arrested individuals have been identified as 20-year-old Josephine Odunu, a hair stylist, and 30-year-old Edesemi Ikporo, a dispatch rider.

NDLEA officers on patrol in the Opolo area of Yenagoa intercepted Ikporo on March 10, seizing 200 grams of ‘chin-chin’ infused with cannabis sativa. Ikporo was en route to deliver the drug-laced snacks to a buyer when apprehended.

Following Ikporo’s arrest, a subsequent operation led to the apprehension of Odunu, who was found distributing the illicit snacks from her salon located in the Kpansia area of Yenagoa. During the raid, NDLEA officers recovered an additional 3.00 kilograms of drug-laced ‘chin-chin,’ bringing the total seized from the duo to 3.2 kilograms.

Investigations conducted by the NDLEA revealed that Odunu and Ikporo were actively involved in distributing cannabis and tramadol-laced snacks to students and attendees at various social events, including birthday parties.

Babafemi emphasized that while Ikporo handled the delivery aspect of the operation, Odunu served as a significant distributor to a wanted suspect responsible for producing the drug-laced snacks.

The arrests highlight the NDLEA’s continued efforts to combat the illegal drug trade and protect communities from the harmful effects of substance abuse.