The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has discovered three (3) kilogrammes of substances that tested positive for methamphetamine inside female hair attachment. Anti-narcotic officials detected the drugs at the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) cargo section of the Murtalla Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos. The drug was meant for export to South Africa.
NDLEA Airport commander, Mr. Hamza Umar said that the Agency apprehended a thirty-seven (37) year-old freight forwarder in connection with the illicit shipment. In his words, “we have arrested a 37 year-old forwarding agent by name; Mark Udegbulun who brought a consignment of female artificial hair for shipment to South Africa. During examination of the bag, nine (9) of the packs were found to contain parcels of substance that tested positive for methamphetamine hidden inside the artificial hair. He is currently being investigated”.
The Airport commander added that the discovery was made barely few days after a suspected drug trafficking syndicate abandoned five kilogrammes of heroin which was hidden inside a shipment of praying rugs from Pakistan.
During interrogation, the suspect, Mark Udegbulun told narcotic investigators that he collected the bag containing the drug at Yaba area of Lagos from his friend who is also his good customer. According to Mark, “I personally received the shipment from my friend and customer at Yaba, Lagos. He paid me to send the bag to South Africa as unaccompanied cargo. Unfortunately, while the officers were searching the bag, the drug was found inside nine of the packs of hair attachment”.
Mark hails from Nnewi in Anambra State. He is married with two children.
Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade assured members of the public that the Agency will continue to discover hidden drugs and prosecute offenders under the Agency’s Act.
“Each time we discover drugs, officers are happy because it is a reward for hard work. We shall continue to discover hidden drugs and charge drug traffickers to court” he assured. The NDLEA chairman also called for more public support in the campaign to eradicate illicit drugs in the country.
The suspect will be charged to court soon.
