NDLEA intercepts N2.8bn drugs in Lagos airport

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), yesterday, revealed that it has seized narcotic valued at N2.8 billion in the first half of the year at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos State.

 

According to NDLEA spokesman, Mitchel Ofoyeju, the seized narcotic drugs, weighing 455.215kg, were intercepted between January and June 2015.

 

Ofoyeju said: “The estimated street value of the drugs is N2.8 billion. In addition, $2.5 million dollars cash was equally intercepted while 75 suspected drug traffickers and money launderers were arrested in connection with the seizures. They are 62 males and 13 females.”

 

Ofoyeju said that the intercepted money includes $2.1 million dollars seized from a bureau de change operator which had been transferred to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation.

 

He noted that 15 arrests were recorded on Emirates airline being the most preferred flight for those apprehended. Qatar airways had 11 arrests, Ethiopian airline followed closely with eight arrests and Etihad airways seven arrests.

 

NDLEA commander at the Lagos Airport, Mr. Hamza Umar gave a breakdown of the seized drugs.

 

Umar said: “The seized drugs include cannabis sativa 138.304kg, ephedrine 133kg, methamphetamine 93.85kg, cocaine 43.426kg and tramadol 42.025kg. We also seized 2.5 million dollars cash within the period. The money includes the 2.1 million dollars seized from one Mr. Ibiteye John Bamidele who is a bureau de change operator as well as other financial seizures totaling $403,825.”

 

The commander noted that several modes of concealment adopted by the suspects were detected by the Agency.

 

In his words: “Twenty-two suspects were arrested for ingesting drugs, 33 were caught with drugs packed inside their luggage while 6 others were found to have packed drugs on their bodies all in a bid to evade arrest.  Thirty-nine of the suspects were caught during outward screening attempting to smuggle drugs out of the country. Seven among them were going to China where drug trafficking attracts death penalty. Twenty-eight others were apprehended during inward screening operations with 23 of them coming from Brazil.”