The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, operatives at the
the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja, Lagos, said they have arrested a currency trafficker, one Oguma Richard Uchenna, with travellers’ cheques in different foreign currencies estimated at N1,157, 670,469.92billion.
The eagle eyed operatives also intercepted 10.89kg of cocaine at the same MMIA, Lagos airport, seized 2.3million tramadol tablets and 2,919 bottles of codeine in Kaduna State.
The alleged currency trafficker, Uchenna, neatly concealed the cheques, inside four hard cover books disguised as an academic literature projects which he was ferrying to the United Kingdom, before he was caught
The operatives also discovered a financial instruments suspected to be counterfeits at National Aviation Handling Company, NAHCO, Export Shed of the Lagos Airport during cargo examination of some consignments meant for exportation to the UK on a cargo flight.
A statement by the Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, on Sunday, said the breakdown of the cheques found on Uchenna shows that the financial documents have monetary values of $287, 623.31; $1,456,300 and 1,297,800, Euros, respectively.
He said within the period, the agency’s operatives at the airport also foiled an attempt by some drug traffickers to smuggle into Nigeria 10.89kilograms of cocaine through a Qatar Airways flight.
He said the illicit drugs were hidden in seven children duvets packed in an unaccompanied bag from Brazil.
According to Babafemi, a raid conducted by the agency’s state Commanders in Kaduna, Ondo and Akwa Ibom States equally led to the seizure of about 2,000kg of tramadol, codeine, cannabis and heroin.
“In Ondo State, 401kg of cannabis was recovered and two suspects, Julius Dapo, 56years and Emeka Ikebuaku, 32 years were arrested at Ipele forest in Owo area on Sunday 24th April.
“On same day, a transborder drug trafficker, Chigbo Chinonye, 42 years was arrested with amphetamine weighing 2.5kg and heroin weighing 0.5kg during stop and search operation conducted along Oron- Ibaka road on his way to Cameroon.
Babafemi established that the suspect concealed the drugs using false bottom packaging mode of concealment.
“In Kaduna, a total of 47 cartons of suspected fake tramadol, comprising 2,350,000 tablets, weighing 1222kg were seized in Zaria on Monday 25th April, while a dealer, Chinedu Asogwa was arrested the following day 26th April along Abuja-Kaduna Express road, with 2919 bottles of cough syrup with codeine, measuring 291.9litres and a gross weight of 396kg.” The statement reads.
Babafemi quoted the Chairman and Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), as commending the tireless efforts of the officers and men of the MMIA, in Ondo, Akwa Ibom and Kaduna Commands of the agency for the seizures and arrests in the last one week.
He stated that Marwa charged them and their compatriots across the country to remain steadfast and vigilant in their areas of responsibility.