Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted a consignment of 195 grammes of heroin inside a bag of female artificial hair at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos. The seizure was made on December 31, 2013 during search of luggage to Monrovia, Liberia in an Arik flight. Officials have arrested the consignor, a 34 year old housewife, Nsofor Ngozi Anderlin for attempting to export the drug to her husband in Liberia.
According to the suspect who lives in Lagos with her five children, the bag was sent to her by the husband. “My husband called me from Liberia where he lives that somebody will give me a bag. He told me to buy female artificial hair in the bag and send it to him. I bought the hair attachment as instructed by my husband. This is not my first time of sending goods to my husband. Unfortunately, officers at the Airport found heroin inside the bag during search” Nsofor Ngozi Anderline stated.
The suspect who hails from Imo State said that her regret is that the bag was sent by her husband. “I really feel bad that the bag where the drug was found was sent to me by my husband. I am here writing statement when I ought to be preparing for my New Year celebration at home” she lamented.
NDLEA commander at the Lagos Airport, Mr. Hamza Umar, said that the artificial hair was used as a distraction. “The artificial hair was just a distraction knowing that heroin was industrially concealed in a false bottom of the bag. It took the experience of the officers to have detected the drug at the luggage checking desk. Preliminary investigation indicates that it is a family business. The suspect will soon be charged to court” Hamza disclosed.
Commenting on the arrest, the Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade said that the involvement of the couple in drug trafficking is sad. “It is sad for a married couple to get involved in drug trafficking. What legacy are they bequeathing to their children? Parents must live by example because they have a responsibility to inculcate discipline in their children. The Agency remains dedicated to strict drug law enforcement as efforts are ongoing to determine the role of the husband” Giade assured.
