3rd December, 2010
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has intercepted 19.1 kilogrammes of high grade cocaine at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, South-West Nigeria.
NDLEA’s Head of Public Affairs, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed this morning that the drug, worth about N200 million, was imported from Brazil by suspected drug barons and abandoned at the Lagos airport on arrival.
Ofoyeju said that the traffickers abandoned the drug for fear of being caught by NDLEA officers who have increased surveillance on the Brazil route frequently used by Nigerian drug smugglers.
He said that the cocaine was packed in T-shirts and containers and arrived Nigeria aboard a Qatar Airways flight.
“About 11.6 kilogrammes of the drug was concealed inside T-shirts while 7.5 kilogrammes was hidden inside silicon containers.
“The latest abandoned seizure valued at over N200 million is a testimony that drug barons have an uphill task smuggling drugs into the country,†Ofoyeju said.
Chairman of NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, described the seizure as spectacular, adding that NDLEA’s efforts have further increased the international perception and respect for Nigeria.
Giade said: “Drug barons will know no truce. Drug kills and destroys economies. Nigeria will continue to win the support of the United States, Britain and other countries through dedication and strict adherence to the international rules of drug control.
“We must take preventive measures to address the illicit drug problem and protect the future of our country.â€
Recently, NDLEA intercepted 450 kilogrammes of cocaine and 137 kilogrammes of heroin worth about N10 billion at the Tin Can Island seaport in Lagos.
—Simon Ateba
