LAGOS – Illicit drugs worth over N2billion have been Intercepted from a suspected drug trafficker at the Muritala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos by the operatives of the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The drug pusher, identified as Aniede Chimezie Bright, was learnt to have been arrested on Sunday 28th March, 2021, during the outward clearance of passengers on Air Marroc.
The illicit drugs weighing 7.1 Kg of Methamphetamine, was said to have been carefully concealed in food spices and packed in a Swiss polo suit case, bound for Spain.
Confirming the interception, The Director, Media & Advocacy of the Agency Femi Babafemi in a press statement said, “The suspects, Aniede Chimezie Bright was arrested on Sunday 28th March, 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 suit case. The illicit substance was bound for Spain with street value of over N2 billion”.
The Commander, MMIA Command of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Garba in his comment on the apprehension 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.”
Besides him, two other suspected traffickers were arrested by the agency.
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. The cannabis were said to be cleverly concealed in foodstuff was bound for Dubai, UAE.
In a follow up operation, another suspect, Asonye Christian was arrested in connection with the seizure of 800grammes cannabis.
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”.
