The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 55.6kg of narcotics at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos. Three suspects including two licensed clearing and forwarding agents have also been apprehended. The illicit shipments include 43.6kg of cannabis meant for export to China and 12kg of methamphetamine being smuggled to South Africa. The drug which was hidden inside foodstuff and artificial hair was detected by NDLEA officers during screening.
NDLEA Airport Commander, Mr Hamza Umar described the seizure as the highest cannabis seizure since January 2013. “This 43.6kg is the highest cannabis seizure since the beginning of the year. Like several seizures made in the past, the cannabis was hidden inside foodstuff. The drug was discovered during routine examination. The suspects include Keita Mamady, 38, who was arrested with 43.6kg cannabis as well as two clearing agents Samuel Williams, 40, and Adams Adewunmi Samuel, 35 who were arrested in connection with the shipment of 12kg of methamphetamine” Hamza stated.
One of the suspects who hail from Anambra State by name Sylvester Nnamdi Augustine was caught with a Guinea International passport bearing Keita Mamady. According to the suspect, the drug was to be delivered in Hong Kong while he will proceed to Guangzhou. “I was told to deliver the drug in Hong Kong on my way to Guangzhou. Unfortunately, the drug was discovered by the NDLEA officers at the luggage checking desk. I am a business man and I live in Guinea where I obtained my passport” Keita stated.
Samuel Williams who is a clearing agent collected the consignment from a member of the drug syndicate and gave it to his colleague to export to South Africa. The drug was found hidden inside female artificial hair. According to Samuel Williams, “My friend in South Africa called me to send some hair attachment to him. When they brought the package to me, I then gave it to my colleague on export desk because I specialise in import clearance” Samuel who hails from Delta State told investigators.
His colleague, Adams Adewunmi Samuel who hails from Ogun State also told officers that he was invited to send the package to South Africa by Samuel Williams. “I was given the package by Samuel Williams. It was during examination that NDLEA officers detected the drugs inside the hair attachment” he stated.
Chairman/Chief Executive of the Agency, Ahmadu Giade said that were it not for the intervention of NDLEA officers, the suspect going to China would have joined many others languishing in foreign prisons over drug trafficking offences. “The Agency will do its best to prevent Nigerians from engaging in drug trafficking. We shall intensify screening at all entry and exit points in the country. Most importantly, this arrests and seizures should serve as warning to others contemplating drug trafficking. The Agency will prosecute any person found in possession of drugs. Licensed agents must endeavour to know their customers” Giade stated.
All suspects will soon be charged to court.
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