Three clearing agents at the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos have been apprehended for attempting to smuggle two consignments of methamphetamine on an Emirate flight to Malaysia.
The drug, weighing 36.44kg, was concealed in foodstuffs and laptop bags declared as personal effects by the consignors.
Anti-narcotic Agency dismissed the claim by the suspects that they thought the drug was a food seasoning.
The NDLEA commander at the Lagos Airport, Hamza Umar, disclosed that the seizure was made during a search at the export processing section.
Umar said: “Following the discovery of the drug, we arrested three clearing agents currently being interrogated.
“Their names are Bolarinwa Labaika, 31 years, and Abiodun Ofunaya, 30 years, held in connection with 6.955kg, as well as Ugochukwu Amagbu, 39 years, arrested in connection with 29.485kg.
“The total weight of methamphetamine found in both packages is 36.44kg.
“The first consignment of methamphetamine hidden in garri, dry fish and yams weighed 6.955kg while the second weighing 29.485kg was hidden in laptop bags.”
The Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, had sent a warning to clearing agents, urging them to know their customers as the law will run its full course if they are found wanting.
Giade said: “Agents are expected to take necessary precautionary measures such as knowing their customers and conducting checks on any consignment for shipment.
“The Agency will continue to prosecute agents whenever we detect drugs in any cargo that they are processing.
“Investigation has commenced and we hope to apprehend other persons connected with the illegal shipment.”
The suspects are cooperating with narcotic investigators in charge of the cases and will soon be prosecuted over unlawful exportation of narcotics, a statement by the NDLEA said on Thursday.
All suspects have volunteered their statements and officers are working to determine their levels of involvement as well as identify other persons connected to the crime.
According to Bolarinwa Labaika, he was invited by a fellow agent, Abiodun Ofunaya, to process a shipment to Malaysia.
Labaika said: “I was contacted by Abiodun to handle a shipment and I agreed to work with him.”
However, Ofunaya, in his statement, said that he was told that the consignment was all foodstuffs.
In his words: “The owner told me it contained garri, dry fish and food ingredients.
“I thought the drug is a food seasoning known as ajinomoto.”
Ugochukwu Amagbu, who was handling the consignment with 29.485kg of methamphetamine, said that the consignor told him that it contained personal effects.
Unfortunately, during search, the drug was detected by the NDLEA officers.
Trending
- 577 blind candidates to sit for 2024 UTME, those with five O Level credits to get refund
- JAMB orders arrest of parents found near CBT centres during UTME
- NPA secures $700m facility from Citibank to rehabilitate Apapa, Tin-Can ports
- CSOs to EFCC, others: Don’t desecrate the courts while fighting corruption
- Why we’ve not paid stipends of Niger Delta ex-militants – Amnesty Office
- Eko DisCo reiterates commitment to improved service delivery
- Transcorp Hotels sells Calabar subsidiary
- FA, Premier League agree to scrap FA Cup replays