N31m drugs recovered from South Africa-based Nigerian

Officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have recovered parcels of methamphetamine valued at N31 million from a South Africa-based Nigerian. 

The Head, Media and Publicity of NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, said that the suspect, Abiodun Banjo, 45, was arrested at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA).
The arrest took place during the outward screening of passengers on a South African Airline flight to South Africa. “The parcels of drug tested positive for methamphetamine and weighed 3.435kgs with a street value of N31 million in Nigeria,” Ofoyeju said.
The suspect, a graduate of Technical College, Ijebu-Ode, has been living in South Africa since 2012. He hails from Osun State. Banjo, who works in South Africa, said the bags were given to him by a friend in South Africa.
He said: “I work in Pretoria. My friend in South Africa called me that his brother would give me two bags containing foodstuff to take to him. He also promised to give me $2,000. I opened the bags and checked thoroughly, but couldn’t find anything incriminating.
That was how I accepted to take the bags. I was surprised when the drug was detected under the bags. I feel very sad that my friend implicated me.” NDLEA Commander at the MMIA, Ahmadu Garba, described how the drug was discovered.
He said: “The drug was detected during routine check on passengers on South Africa Airline flight to South Africa. Two bags belonging to Abiodun Israel Banjo were found to contain parcels of methamphetamine. Inside the bags, were food ingredients and clothes, but underneath was a thin parcel of narcotics carefully concealed.
He was immediately arrested and investigation is ongoing.” The NDLEA Chairman, Muhammad Abdallah, called on members of the public to be aware of tricks employed by drug trafficking cartels. He said: “Drug traffickers recruit mules by enticing them with money.
They are very clever in concealing drugs as drugs have been detected in bags, electronics, foodstuff and clothes, among others. We strongly advise that all passengers should endeavour to pack their bags themselves and avoid taking bags for others.”
The NDLEA boss added that ignorance was no excuse in drug trafficking.https://newtelegraphonline.com/n31m-drugs-recovered-south-africa-based-nigerian/