The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced the arrest of Oguejiofor Nnaemeka Simon Peter, a recent returnee from Thailand, for attempting to smuggle 13.30 kg of heroin, valued at over N3.192 billion, through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos.
According to the NDLEA, Oguejiofor was arrested on Monday, October 7, 2024, while trying to bypass security checks at the airport.
The heroin was hidden in six backpacks, which were packed into two large suitcases.
The 29-year-old mechanical engineering graduate from Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli, Anambra State, had departed Thailand on October 3, 2024, on a Qatar Airways flight, stopping in Doha, Qatar, for two days before continuing to Lagos.
His luggage, however, was initially routed to Accra, Ghana, his intended destination.
The NDLEA statement detailed that Oguejiofor attempted to reroute his luggage to Nigeria and collect it as “rush bags” to evade scrutiny.
Upon searching the suitcases, NDLEA officers found six backpacks, each containing a large parcel of heroin stitched into the lining.
The total weight of the recovered heroin was 13.30kg. Oguejiofor admitted that he was promised $7,000 for successfully delivering the drugs, which were to be split between Lagos and Accra.
In a related operation, NDLEA officials intercepted a significant haul of opioids at three seaports—Lekki Deep Seaport, Apapa Seaport in Lagos, and the Port Harcourt Port Complex, Onne, Rivers State.
These seizures, which took place between October 7 and October 11, 2024, included 32,607,900 tramadol pills worth over N12.5 billion and 1,451,994 bottles of codeine syrup valued at N10.1 billion. The total street value of the seized opioids is estimated at N22.7 billion.
In another operation on October 12, 2024, NDLEA officers in Anambra State arrested Okelue Chidera, 29, in Onitsha with 50,000 tramadol tablets (200mg).
Meanwhile, in Edo State, operatives raided a cannabis distribution hub in Aviose, Owan West LGA, seizing 70 bags of cannabis weighing 1,050kg.
Additionally, a second raid in Owan Village, Ovia North East LGA, led to the arrest of Monday Akele, 38, and the seizure of 110kg of cannabis.
These developments were detailed in a statement released on Sunday by Femi Babafemi, Director of Media and Advocacy at NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja.
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