NDLEA intercepts drugs, cash consignments from Pakistan, Austria, Italy
By Salihu Ali, Abuja
At least, 649,300 capsules of Tramadol and 809,850 Euros cash were among consignments from Pakistan, Austria and Italy intercepted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos by the officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA.
Also seized were various quantities of Heroin and other illicit drugs meant to be exported to the United States, United Kingdom and Canada.
The Director media and advocacy NDLEA headquarters Abuja Mr Femi Babafemi disclosed this in a press statement Sunday.
The statement revealed that, “at the Skyway Aviation Handling Company cargo warehouse at the airport, anti-narcotic officers seized 649,300 capsules of Tramadol 225mg weighing 460.95kg imported from Pakistan via Addis Ababa through Ethiopian Airline on Wednesday 16th February. A suspect, Nwadu Ekene Christian was arrested in connection with the seizure.”
On the same day, “a female passenger, Ms. Ayeki Happy who arrived the airport from Italy on Turkish Airline was arrested with 69,850 Euros cash concealed in her luggage.” The statement said.
“This was four days after another lady, Precious Idahagbon was arrested with 740,000 Euros cash hidden in her luggage and undeclared upon her arrival at the airport from Vienna, Austria via Istanbul, Turkey. Both cash seizures are currently under investigation to establish if they are proceeds of drug business.”
At the NAHCO export shed of the airport, “operatives seized a consignment of 131 parcels of Cannabis concealed in packages of black soap (Dudu-Osun), during outward clearance of cargo going to the UK.”
The consignment was presented for export to Dubai, UAE at SAHCO shed with 30 parcels of cannabis hidden in cartons of cornflakes were discovered in it.
Also, “not less than 6.5kg of Heroin, Khat and Oxycodone packaged for export to USA, and Canada were seized at a major courier company in Lagos by operatives of the Directorate of Operation and General Investigations, DOGI. The drugs were concealed in shoes, and carton walls.” The statement explained.
Other States:
In Kano, “a 34-year-old Nasiru Abdulrahman was arrested with 476kg of Cannabis at Kwanar Dan Gora, Kiru local government area of the state on Friday 25th February.”
“In Adamawa state North East Nigeria, 4,000 tablets of Tramadol 225mg were seized from Abdulmuminu Abubakar, 24, who was arrested at Gidan Madara, Mubi North LGA on Tuesday 22nd February who was travelling on a motorcycle to deliver the drugs in Bukula, Cameroon Republic.”
In Abuja, “two consignments were intercepted from transport vehicles in Abaji area of the FCT, containing12kg of cannabis, and 356kg of the same substance.”
While commending the officers and men of the MMIA, DOGI, Kano, Adamawa and FCT Commands for the arrests and seizures, the Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (Retd) charged them and their colleagues across the country to intensify the offensive action against all drug cartels in every part of Nigeria.