The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has prevented a suspected drug syndicate from smuggling N322 million naira worth of drugs concealed inside oil filters at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos. The illicit consignment containing substances that tested positive for methamphetamine were meant for export to Mozambique. An auto parts dealer has been apprehended in connection with the seizure.
NDLEA commander at the Lagos airport, Hamza Umar said that the drugs were cleverly hidden inside oil filters. In his words, “officers at the export section of the airport have made a seizure of methamphetamine hidden inside oil filters. The drug was cleverly concealed in a manner that makes it difficult to detect. We had to cut the filters open in order to recover the drug. In all, a total quantity of 35.8kg of methamphetamine was found inside the oil filters”.
Hamza added that an auto parts dealer in Lagos by name Agbala Eze Cosmos, 38 years old has been arrested and he is currently assisting in further investigation activities.
The suspect said that it was greed that made him to get involved in drug trafficking. “I blame myself because I was greedy. They asked me to facilitate the exportation of the drug to Mozambique for a fee of one million naira. I was happy to do it because I needed money. It did not occur to me that there is so much risk involved because of the manner the drug was packed. I never knew the drug cost so much. I am married with three children and I sell auto parts” Agbala who hails from Enugu State stated.
Honourable Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade has vowed to arrest all persons involved in the case. “The Agency will work very hard to arrest everyone that is involved in this case. We are prepared to go the full length in our investigation. The suspect has given us useful information that we are currently processing” Giade assured.
