TheCable

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has found N564 million worth of heroin in the possession of one Goodluck Odeh, a suspected drug trafficker.

The 40-year-old suspect, who hails from Ikpoba Okha LGA of Edo state, was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

In a statement released on Sunday, Femi Babafemi, NDLEA director of media and advocacy, said the heroin was concealed in the lining of a false bottom in Odeh’s suitcase.

According to the agency, the suspect was apprehended at the departure lounge during clearance of an Ethiopian Air flight going to Italy via Addis Ababa.

The suspect was quoted as saying he has been living in Italy since 2015 and only returned to visit his family to restock on foodstuff for resale in Europe.

He said: “I work as a labourer on a farm in Italy, with a pay of about 50 Euro a day. I also work as a flyer distributor when the farming season is over and I make as much as 50 Euro/day,” Odeh told the operatives of the agency.

“I came to Nigeria over two weeks ago to see my family in Nigeria and also use the same opportunity to buy foodstuffs to sell on my return to Italy.

“After spending some days between Edo and Delta, where I bought some foodstuffs, I equally travelled to Lagos to buy part of the foodstuffs and bush meat, which is cheaper.

“I did not know how the drug found its way into the bag as I bought the suitcase from a second hand material open market in Lagos, not knowing that it contained the drug.”

On his part, Kabir Sani Tsakuwa, NDLEA commander at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, said investigations have commenced on the case.