NDLEA arrests 2 Lebanese, 1 other over drug offences

The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) yesterday nabbed a Lebanese, Charbel Chalouhi, his girlfriend and Nigerian driver over drugrelated offences.

Chalouhi, of No. 18, Wahab Ogunbambo Street, off Simeon Akinlonu Crescent, Victoria Island, was reportedly arrested following a tip off from worried residents of the area. It was gathered that he was being held at the NDLEA’s Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) Lagos Command, Ikeja.

It was also gathered that NDLEA agents trailed Chalouhi and his driver for some time before raiding his home at about 8am, where they allegedly found at least 1kg of cocaine.

A resident of Simeon Akinlonu Crescent, Samuel Olu, who witnessed the arrest said the NDLEA combed several homes in the area and questioned several occupants before arresting Chalouhi.

“I was just walking past and I saw the NDLEA officials when they came. They invaded houses, not just his (Chalouhi) house alone; they went to other houses too. But when they got to know that he was the one, they checked him and they took him away.

“He joined the NDLEA officials in the car,” he said. According to Olu, residents of the area had been living in fear of drug dealers. He said, “People in this area have been very careful about complaining to law enforcement agencies about the activities of drug dealers, because such people can be very dangerous. If they get to know that you reported them, you could be harmed. “People are living in fear, so the NDLEA should save us, save Nigerian youths.”

The NDLEA Lagos Area Commander, Aliu Suleiman, confirmed Chalouhi’s arrest.

“We are still investigating,” Suleiman added.