The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) via a presser disclosed that it has intercepted travellers’ cheques in different foreign currencies totalling over N1.1 billion and 10.89kilograms of cocaine, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja, Lagos; 2,000kg of Tramadol, Codeine, Cannabis, Heroin and 401kg of cannabis were also intercepted in various location across the country. The agency, in a statement signed by Femi Babafemi, director, of media and advocacy, made this disclosure through the Twitter page.
NDLEA intercepts N1.1billion travellers’ cheques, 10.89kg Cocaine at Lagos airport
— NDLEA NIGERIA (@ndlea_nigeria) May 1, 2022
. Seizes 2.3million Tramadol tabs, 2,919 bottles of Codeine in Kaduna pic.twitter.com/rtbG752V1M
According to Babafemi, "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 showed they have monetary values of Two Hundred and Eighty-Seven Thousand, Six Hundred and Twenty Three Dollars, Thirty-One Cent ($287, 623.31); One Million Four Hundred and Fifty-Six Thousand Three Hundred Canadian Dollars ($1,456,300) and One Million Two Hundred and Ninety-Seven Thousand Eight Hundred (1,297,800) Euros."
The director, media and advocacy noted that a suspect identified as Oguma Richard Uchenna has been arrested in connection to the cheques, which were neatly concealed inside 4 bound hardcover books disguised as academic project literature.
He added that the agency had also been able to foil the attempt of drug traffickers to smuggle in 10.89 kilograms of cocaine through Qatar Airways at the MMIA. According to him, the illicit drug was hidden in 7 children’s duvets packed in an unaccompanied bag from Brazil.
He continued, ‘’Meanwhile, raid operations in Kaduna, Ondo and Akwa Ibom state have led to the seizure of about 2,000kg of Tramadol, Codeine, Cannabis and Heroin. In Ondo state, 401kg of cannabis was recovered and two suspects: Julius Dapo, 56 and Emeka Ikebuaku, 32, were arrested at Ipele forest in the Owo area on Sunday, April 24th.
On the same day, a transborder drug trafficker, Chigbo Chinonye, was arrested with amphetamine weighing 2.5kg and heroin weighing 0.5kg during a stop and search operation conducted along Oron- Ibaka road on his way to Cameroon. He concealed the drugs using false bottom packaging.
‘’In Kaduna, a total of 47 cartons of suspected fake Tramadol, comprising 2,350,000 tablets, weighing 1222kg were seized in Zaria on Monday 25th April while a dealer, Chinedu Asogwa was arrested the following day 26th April along Abuja-Kaduna express road, with 2919 bottles of cough syrup with codeine, measuring 291.9litres and a gross weight of 396kg.’’
With the series of achievements recorded, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) has commended officers and men of the MMIA, Ondo, Akwa Ibom and Kaduna Commands of the Agency for the seizures and arrests in the past week, and has further charged them and their compatriots across the country to remain steadfast and vigilant in their areas of responsibility.