The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has made a significant arrest, capturing a Thailand returnee, Oguejiofor Nnaemeka Simon Peter, for attempting to smuggle 13.30kg of heroin into the country.
The heroin, valued at over N3.192 billion, was cleverly concealed in six backpacks packed into two large suitcases.
This shocking discovery was made at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja, Lagos.
A statement by the agency revealed that, Oguejiofor, 29-year-old Mechanical Engineering graduate from Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli, Anambra State, was apprehended on Monday, October 7, 2024.
According to NDLEA’s Director, Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, Oguejiofor had left Thailand on October 3, 2024, on a Qatar Airways flight, stopping over in Doha, Qatar, for two days before heading to Lagos.
The statement further revealed that his luggage was initially routed to Accra, Ghana, his original destination.
However, Oguejiofor contacted the airline to reroute his luggage to Nigeria.
NDLEA officers intercepted him at the point of exit, suspecting foul play and upon searching his two suitcases, they found three empty backpacks in each box.
Further inspection revealed a large parcel of heroin neatly sewn to all six backpacks. The six parcels were subsequently recovered, weighing 13.30kg.
Oguejiofor in his statement confessed that he was hired for a fee of $7,000 upon successful delivery of the parcels.
He explained that his mission was to deliver two parcels in Lagos and four parcels in Accra, Ghana.
In a related development, NDLEA announced a massive seizure of opioids at three seaports. The combined monetary value of the seized opioids is approximately N22.7 billion.
Between Monday, October 7, and Friday, October 11, 2024, NDLEA operatives intercepted containers watch-listed based on intelligence.
These containers were processed for 100% joint examination with Nigeria Customs and other security agencies.
The seized opioids include tramadol pills worth over N12.5 billion and codeine-based syrup valued at N10.1 billion. These illicit consignments were seized at Lekki Deep Seaport, Apapa Seaport in Lagos, and Port Harcourt Port Complex, Onne, Rivers State.
