By Gboyega Adeoye
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos Command, has recorded a seizure of 146.820 kilograms of drugs from 33 suspects.
The seizures were made between January and June this year, representing the mid-year operational report.
The NDLEA Airport Commander, Garba Ahmadu who disclosed this as the world celebrates International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, said 28 males and 5 females were nabbed with various Illicit drugs carefully concealment in the different ways.
These drugs include,cocaine, methamphetamine, cannabis sativa,heroine and ephedrine.
According to the NDLEA Commander, the drugs were concealed in tomato cans, baby diapers, food stuff, body lotion containers and through ingestion.
Giving a breakdown of the drugs, he said, “cocaine 15.580 kg, heroin 14.720kg, cannabis sativa 54.140kg, methamphetamine 34.240kg and ephedrine 28.140”.
Speaking on cartels who plant drugs in passengers luggage in connivance with airline staff and ground handling staff, Ahmadu advised airlines to always deploy senior officials to airports for baggage tagging to avoid the Kano incident.
In 2016 at the MMIA, a total seizure of 779.916kg of different drugs was recorded, 2017, 12666.400kg and 2018, 5375.985 kg seized by the NDLEA.
According to him, the total number of suspects arrested in 2016 were 103, 2017, 85 and 2018, 93.
The theme for this year’s celebration is: ‘Health for Justice’.
