NDLEA seizes over N2bn worth of drugs at Lagos airport

Etim Effiong 

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has seized over N2 billion worth of illicit drugs and arrested one Aniede Chimezie Bright for possessing them at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja, Lagos. 

The Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said this on Monday in a press statement. 

“The suspects, Aniede Chimezie Bright was arrested on Sunday March 28, 2021, during the outward clearance of passengers on Air Marroc, with 7.1 kg of Methamphetamine carefully concealed in food spices and packed in a Swiss polo suitcase. 

“The illicit substance was bound for Spain with street value of over N2 billion,” Babafemi said. 

He added that the commander, MMIA Command of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Garba, said, “Unarguably, the closure of borders occasioned by COVID-19 pandemic is responsible for the surge in the price of these drugs. 

“For instance, the price of meth in Australia had increased from 200 dollars to 600 dollars per gramme due supply cut, hence the desperation by the traffickers and barons alike.” 

Two other persons were also arrested for trafficking by the agency. 

According to him, Bamidele Babatunde Adeyemo was arrested at SAHCO export shed of the airport with 800grammes of cannabis sativa while operatives also seized 19.950kg of green leaves suspected to be khat.  

He added that the cannabis was cleverly concealed in foodstuff was bound for Dubai, UAE. 

Garba said that in a follow-up operation, another suspect, Asonye Christian was arrested in connection with the seizure of 800grammes cannabis. 

He said investigations are ongoing with a view to establishing more leads and getting the owner of the khat leaves arrested. 

While commending the men and officers of the MMIA Command for the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brig. General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) said the agency remains committed to its new maxim of offensive action against the activities of drug barons and traffickers wherever they are across Nigeria.