Officers
of Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have apprehended a
26-year old man in connection with 8.5kg of methamphetamine concealed inside
metal pipes, the agency said on Tuesday.
The suspect, Afunaya
Thaddeus Izunna, who is a retailer of phone accessories in Computer
Village, Ikeja, Lagos, southwest Nigeria, was found at the weekend to be in
possession of the drug during the screening of passengers on Ethiopian airline
flight to New Delhi, India.
Speaking on the arrest, the NDLEA Airport
Commander, Mr. Hamza Umar, said the drug was discovered when anti-narcotic
officilas insisted in searching the metal pipes inside Izunna’s
luggage.
According to Umar, the drug with a total weight of 8.5kg is one of
the highest seizures recently recorded at the airport.read more
He said: “This is one of the largest seizures
recorded at the Lagos airport in recent time. It was a clever mode of
concealment, but I am glad we were able to detect it and the suspect
apprehended.
The case is under investigation.” On the development, NDLEA
Chairman, Mr. Ahmadu Giade, said: “This is a spectacular seizure because the
drug was carefully concealed in a way that makes detection difficult.
The
significance is that a warning signal has been sent to the enemy camp that one
of their best tricks is not good enough. This has been my position and order to
the officers that drugs should be intercepted regardless of the mode of
concealment.”
The NDLEA boss however stressed that the suspect would
soon be charged to court. Narrating hir ordeals, the suspect, Mr. Izunna who
hails from Anambra State noted that he was asked to deliver the drug to somebody
in India for a fee. According to the suspect who is married with 2 children, “I
am a trader. I sell phone accessories at Ikeja to take care of my wife and two
children. It was a friend that gave me the metal pipes that I should take them
to India for a fee. I did not know when, how and where it was packed. I was only
given the bag containing the pipes”
“Unfortunately, when I got to the
airport during screening, NDLEA officers discovered the drug and I was arrested.
This is my first time of smuggling drugs. I hope my wife will understand and
forgive me” Afunaya pleaded.
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