Abuja, Feb. 5, 2023 – The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has seized large consignments of illicit drugs at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
Its Spokesman, Femi Babafemi, who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, said some persons behind the drugs were also arrested.
Babafemi said top on the list of those arrested in connection with the seizures is a Nigerian based in Athens, Greece, Iwuozor Edward Chinedu.
He said Chinedu arrived in Nigeria by an Ethiopian airline flight on Friday, Feb. 3, when officers in the tarmac team of NDLEA intercepted two bags during a secondary check exercise at the foot of the aircraft.
“When the bags were searched in the presence of Chinedu and other airport stakeholders, two big pellets wrapped with foil papers and some sprinkles of pepper were recovered from each of the two sides of one of the bags.
“The pellets were used to construct false walls at the sides of the bag.
“The two parcels contained substances that tested positive to cocaine and heroin with a gross weight of 1.30kgs and 900grams respectively.
“During preliminary interview, Chinedu claimed he came to Nigeria three months ago to do a surgery, which he was not comfortable doing in Athens.
“He further claimed he was given the bag to deliver in Greece for a fee of two million naira (N2, 000,000).
“Similarly, NDLEA operatives at the NAHCO export shed of the airport on Monday 30th January arrested a pregnant woman, Mrs. Sylvester Gloria Onome, after 800grams of skunk were discovered concealed in two small radio sets she was sending to Dubai, United Arab Emirate.
“On the same day, operatives also intercepted a consignment going to Congo Kinshasa, containing 111 bottles of body cream that were used to conceal 24.50kgs of ephedrine, a chemical precursor and active ingredient to produce methamphetamine.
“The cargo was later traced to a trader at Alaba trade fair complex, Ojo area of Lagos, Onyekachukwu Uduekwelu. after the initial arrest of two freight agents.
“Another housewife, Mrs. Okpara Chizoba Victoria, was arrested at her residence at 37 Obashola Street, Ijesha area of Lagos, on Friday 27th Jan. following the seizure of 300 grams of skunk hidden in a bag of crayfish she was sending to Dubai, UAE through a freight agent,” the statement said. (GBN)
