The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 15 cartons of heroin concealed in 2300-watt metal cutting machines. Each carton contains three blocks of high-grade heroin with a total number of 45 blocks weighing 49.70kg at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Command in Lagos.
The Chairman of the NDLEA, Buba Marwa, disclosed this at a press conference held on Tuesday in Lagos
Marwa said NDLEA operatives at the MMIA command intercepted the suspicious package at the SAHCO Import Shed of the airport’s Cargo Terminal.
According to him, the operation was the single largest heroin consignment at the MMIA, Ikeja, Lagos State.
He said the illicit Class A drugs totaling 51.90kg were carefully packaged, well-labeled, and concealed inside cutting machines billed for delivery at the cartel’s warehouse in the Ipaja area of the state.
With a street value of £100,000 per kilo, the seized 51.90kg drugs with an estimated worth of £5,190,000 which is worth N10,365,987,000 in naira at N1,997.3/£ exchange rate.
He noted that the operatives also arrested 10 suspects in the operation that lasted nine days, blocked 109 bank accounts, and sealed hotels and mansions in the Ago Palace Way area of Lagos.
Marwa said that there was a parallel between the seizure and the September 18, 2022, seizure of 2,139.5kg cocaine in a warehouse in the Ikorodu area of the state, which he described as the biggest singular cocaine seizure in the history of NDLEA.
“Our cartel members linked to the recent seizure were arrested in a follow-up operation conducted by the NDLEA operatives.
“After the discovery, we were methodical and meticulous in our investigations. We started with the arrest of the freight agent whose name is Olowolagba Wasiu Babatunde. It turned out that he was hired for clearing services by Mattpee Logistics, a company operated by one Mr. Kola resident in South Africa,” he added.
NDLEA boss said the agency had already contacted its counterpart in South Africa to get leaders of the cartel who are residents in that country and Mozambique.
