A 19-year-old student, Benjamin Nnamani Daberechi, was arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) in Abuja for attempting to export 7.2 kilograms of methamphetamine cleverly concealed in crayfish. Daberechi was on his way to Europe for undergraduate studies when he was intercepted during an outward clearance of passengers on a Turkish Airlines flight.
Despite claiming to be a student en route to Cyprus for studies, a thorough search of his luggage revealed the presence of 7.2kg of whitish substance neatly hidden inside a sack of crayfish. A field test confirmed the substance to be methamphetamine.
Meanwhile, at the Tincan Port Command of the NDLEA, another significant drug interception took place. Operatives discovered a 116.5kg consignment of Colorado, a potent strain of cannabis, concealed in bags hidden among used vehicles parts inside a container imported from Toronto, Canada. The container, marked FCIU 8459700, contained three units of used vehicles and arrived at the TICT terminal on June 14th. Intelligence led to the thorough examination of the container, leading to the discovery of 233 parcels of the illicit substance stashed among used vehicle spare parts.
In addition to airport and port interceptions, the NDLEA thwarted attempts to export various quantities of illicit substances through courier companies. At different courier firms in Lagos, 336 grams of skunk concealed inside computer hard drives destined for Dubai, UAE, were seized. A suspect, Ibrahim Analu, 28, was arrested at Iddo motor park, Lagos, while attempting to send 151,700 pills of opioids to Kaduna. Furthermore, 4.830kg of skunk was discovered at another courier firm in a shipment from Douala, Cameroon, destined for Oman, concealed in 10 of 12 cans of palm fruits paste.
The NDLEA continues to intensify efforts in intercepting drug smuggling attempts, ensuring the safety and security of the country from illicit substances and related criminal activities.
