1st May, 2022
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted travellers’ cheques in different foreign currencies with a total value of N1.2 billion at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos.
NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
He said at least, a suspect, Oguma Richard Uchenna has been arrested in connection to the attempt to export the cheques, which were neatly concealed inside four bound hard cover books disguised as academic project literatures, to the United Kingdom.
“The financial instruments suspected to be counterfeits were discovered on Wednesday 27th April at NAHCO export shed of the Lagos airport during cargo examination of some consignments meant for exportation to the UK on a cargo flight.
“A breakdown of the cheques shows they have monetary values of US$287, 623.31; Canadian $1,456,300 and 1,297,800 Euros.”
According to Babafemi, in the same vein, operatives of NDLEA at the airport foiled attempt by drug traffickers to smuggle into Nigeria 10.89kg of cocaine through a Qatar Airways flight.
He said the illicit drug was hidden in seven children duvets packed in an unaccompanied bag from Brazil.