TheCable

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says its operatives have intercepted and seized consignments of heroin and khat, worth N10 billion at Lagos and Kano international airports.

Khat is a plant used stimulate euphoria, excitement and energy, and it is illegal in some countries — including Nigeria.

According to a statement by Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesperson, operatives of the agency seized a total of illicit drugs weighing 61.3kg at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, and the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.

Babafemi said during the examination of the cargo at the SAHCO import shed in Lagos, the operatives discovered 24.05kg of heroin, while another consignment in the cargo tested to be methamphetamine with a weight of 1.25kg, bringing the drugs seized at the Lagos airport to a total of 25.3kg.

He noted that preliminary interview revealed that the suspect was working with another freight agent, resulting in the arrest of six other persons in follow-up operations.

“At the MMIA, Lagos, during cargo examination at SAHCO Import Shed, a freight agent had presented a cargo from South Africa with an Ethiopia Airline ET 3901 Airway Bill no: 071-40689003 for examination before NDLEA operatives attached to the beat,” he said.

“The officers subsequently conducted a search of the cargo during which a suspected brownish substance was discovered concealed inside a red bag popularly called Ghana-must-go.

“During the preliminary interview of the suspect, it was gathered that another freight agent sub-contracted the clearing job to him and eventually six suspects have so far been arrested in follow up operations, while the substance had tested positive to heroin with a total weight of 25.05kg.”

The media director said the command in Kano also seized another consignment, tested to be khat, which weighed 36kg, and meant for export to Manchester, United Kingdom.

“In a similar development, the MAKIA Command of the agency in Kano has intercepted and seized a consignment meant for export to Machester, United Kingdom at its cargo shed,” the statement reads.

“A sample of the suspected substance in the consignment was sent for laboratory analysis, the result of which came out positive to khat, weighing 36kg.

“This brings the total weight of illicit drugs seized at the two international airport to 61.3kg.”

Muhammed Ajiya, the acting commander at the Kano airport, said further investigation is ongoing “to ascertain the true owners of the illegal consignment”.

In his remarks, Buba Marwa, chairman of the NDLEA, commended the proactive measures taken by the officers at the Lagos and Kano airports.