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abujagirl
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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has arrested a Pakistani student who was attempting to smuggle 25.4 kilogrammes of heroin into the country.
Mr Hamza Umar, the NDLEA Commander, Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Command, told newsmen on Tuesday in Lagos that the suspect was arrested at the airport.
"Attempt by a drug cartel to smuggle 25.4kg of high grade heroin into Nigeria has been aborted. This followed the apprehension of a Pakistani student at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency,’’ Umar said.
He said the drug was discovered in the suspect’s luggage during inward screening of passengers on board a Qatar airline flight.
"The estimated street value of the seized drug is N228 million. Preliminary investigation has shown that the suspect left Lahore, Pakistan with the drugs to Abu Dhabi, then to Doha from where he connected to Lagos,’’ Umar said.
He said the suspect was believed to be working for a Pakistani drug cartel.
"This is the largest single seizure of heroin made at the Lagos airport since January. The drug was hidden in a smaller bag inside his luggage,” Umar said.
He said the suspect was cooperating with the agency’s team of investigators.
According to him, the Chairman of the NDLEA, Mr Ahmadu Giade, has expressed delight on the arrest.
He quoted Giade as saying that the arrest was an indication that Nigeria was winning the fight against narcotics.
"This arrest and seizure will further send a warning to drug trafficking cartels that Nigeria is winning the fight against narcotics. The NDLEA is prepared to halt the criminal activities of drug barons through coordinated drug detection strategies.
"We are working very hard to also identify other members of the criminal group,” he
quoted Giade as saying.
Mr Hamza Umar, the NDLEA Commander, Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Command, told newsmen on Tuesday in Lagos that the suspect was arrested at the airport.
"Attempt by a drug cartel to smuggle 25.4kg of high grade heroin into Nigeria has been aborted. This followed the apprehension of a Pakistani student at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency,’’ Umar said.
He said the drug was discovered in the suspect’s luggage during inward screening of passengers on board a Qatar airline flight.
"The estimated street value of the seized drug is N228 million. Preliminary investigation has shown that the suspect left Lahore, Pakistan with the drugs to Abu Dhabi, then to Doha from where he connected to Lagos,’’ Umar said.
He said the suspect was believed to be working for a Pakistani drug cartel.
"This is the largest single seizure of heroin made at the Lagos airport since January. The drug was hidden in a smaller bag inside his luggage,” Umar said.
He said the suspect was cooperating with the agency’s team of investigators.
According to him, the Chairman of the NDLEA, Mr Ahmadu Giade, has expressed delight on the arrest.
He quoted Giade as saying that the arrest was an indication that Nigeria was winning the fight against narcotics.
"This arrest and seizure will further send a warning to drug trafficking cartels that Nigeria is winning the fight against narcotics. The NDLEA is prepared to halt the criminal activities of drug barons through coordinated drug detection strategies.
"We are working very hard to also identify other members of the criminal group,” he
quoted Giade as saying.