The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has prevented the perilous incursion of a Pakistani drug cartel into Nigeria with 13 kilogrammes of high grade heroin. Operatives of the anti-drug Agency at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos aborted the plot with the prompt arrest of a 35 year-old Pakistani with the parcels of brownish powdery substances that tested positive for heroin hidden inside his hand luggage. Officials described the heroin as high grade with an estimated street value of about 120 million naira.
According to the NDLEA Airport commander, Mr. Hamza Umar, the suspect, Syed Waseem Ahmed Buhari with Pakistani international passport number BT3347071 arrived aboard a Qatar Airways flight. “A 35 year old Pakistani was apprehended following the discovery of 13 kilogrammes of high grade heroin in his hand luggage. A Nigerian clearing and forwarding agent by name Okereke Benjamin Chukwudi, 42, who is suspected to be an accomplice have also been arrested and investigation had commenced” Hamza stated.
Syed, an electrical engineer who hails from Karachi is believed to be working for a Pakistani based drug cartel. He was found to have travelled from Karachi to Abu Dhabi aboard Pakistan Airline flight before taking Qatar airways flight through Doha to Lagos. The suspected Nigerian accomplice, Okereke Benjamin Chukwudi who hails from Ekulobia, Anambra State is cooperating with narcotic investigators.
NDLEA boss added that the arrest of the Pakistani few days after three Bolivians were caught in a suspected case of methamphetamine production is a demonstration of the Agency’s resolve to bring drug traffickers to justice. “The anti-drug crusade is total and must be pursued with determination. While working hard to prevent the involvement of our citizens in drug trafficking, the Agency will resist attempt by foreigners to smuggle drugs into the country. The NDLEA Act applies to all culprits. We shall yet be more vigilant and ensure that illicit drugs are intercepted in our country”Giade stated.
The NDLEA boss commended the officers for the arrest and urged them to remain dedicated to duty at all times. Both suspects will be charged to court soon.
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Ofoyeju Mitchell
Head, Public Affairs,
