PRESS RELEASE
Officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have seized illicit drugs valued at two hundred and forty million naira (N240,000,000) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos. The drugs weighing 95.93kg were seized between January and March 2014. A total of nineteen (19) suspected drug traffickers were also apprehended. The suspects include sixteen males and three females.
NDLEA Commander at the Lagos Airport, Mr. Hamza Umar gave the breakdown of arrests and seizures in the first quarter of 2014 as follows. “Within the first quarter of 2014, the Airport command seized cocaine 9.060kg, heroin 16.950kg, cannabis 27.235kg, methamphetamine 3.4kg, ephedrine 2kg, morphine 14.96kg,apresoline 3.505kg, pethidine 10.82kg and diazepam 8kg. The total weight of seized drugs in the period under review is 95.93kg while persons arrestedare16 males and 3 females” Hamza stated.
The Anti-narcotic Agency observed that there was a reduction in quantity of drugs seized in the first quarter of 2014 when compared to 2013. This is so because in the first quarter of 2013, total drugs seized at the Lagos airport was 172.145kg. While the quantity of drugs reduced by 76.215kg in the period under review; number of persons arrested also reduced by one.
The record of drug seizure and arrest in first quarter of 2013 is as follows; cocaine 16.015kg heroin 0.165 grammes and methamphetamine 155.965kg.Total drug seized amounted to 172.145kg while suspects are18 males and 2 females.
In his reaction, the Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, AhmaduGiadesaid that the Agency will continue to intensify security checks at all exit points in the country. “The reduction in the quantity of drugs seized is an indication that we are making progress in our search operations. We shall continue to improve on our counter-strategies through the use of latest technology in drug control” Giade stated.
The NDLEA boss also assured that the cases of those arrested shall be diligently prosecuted to a logical conclusion.
Ofoyeju Mitchell
Head, Public Affairs
