National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted the largest single heroin consignment at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos State.
Gatekeepers News reports that the operation, which led to the seizure of the consignment weighing 51.90kg on February 12, 2024, was described by the Chairman of the NDLEA, Buba Marwa, as the single largest heroin seizure at the airport.
The consignment was concealed in 15 cartons of 2300-watt metal cutting machines.
The agency also arrested members of an organized criminal organization involved in trafficking heroin across Nigeria, South Africa, Mozambique, Europe, and America.
Marwa noted that there was a parallel between this seizure and the September 18, 2022, seizure of 2,139.5kg of cocaine in a warehouse in the Ikorodu area of Lagos, which he described as the biggest singular cocaine seizure in the history of the NDLEA.
Four cartel members linked to the recent seizure were arrested in a follow-up operation conducted by NDLEA operatives.
He said, “NDLEA operatives at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Command intercepted a suspicious package at the SAHCO Import Shed of the airport’s Cargo Terminal. The consignment was concealed in 15 cartons of 2300-watt metal cutting machines. Each carton was stocked with three blocks of high-grade heroin. In total, we recovered 45 blocks of the illicit substance with a total weight of 49.70kg.
“After the discovery, we were methodical and meticulous in our investigations. We started with the arrest of the freight agent whose name is Olowolagba Wasiu Babatunde. It turned out that he was hired for clearing services by Mattpee Logistics, a company operated by one Mr. Kola resident in South Africa.”
The NDLEA commended its operatives for their meticulous investigation and urged the public to remain vigilant in the fight against drug trafficking.
