The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has seized the largest amount of heroin ever intercepted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos State.
During an operation on February 12, 2024, the NDLEA arrested members of a criminal organization that traffics heroin across Nigeria, South Africa, Mozambique, Europe, and America. The seized heroin weighed 51.90 kg.
Buba Marwa, the Chairman of the NDLEA, made the revelation during a press briefing in Lagos on Tuesday.
Marwa mentioned that the operation at the airport was the largest heroin seizure ever. The drugs were hidden in 15 cartons of metal cutting machines with a power of 2300 watts.
He also pointed out that there was a similarity between this seizure and the one on September 18, 2022, where 2,139.5kg of cocaine was found in a warehouse in Ikorodu. This, according to the NDLEA boss, was the largest cocaine seizure in NDLEA history.
Marwa stated that four members of a cartel connected to the recent heroin seizure were arrested in a follow-up operation by NDLEA agents.
“NDLEA operatives at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Command intercepted a suspicious package at the SAHCO Import Shed of the airport’s Cargo Terminal,” Marwa said.
“The consignment was concealed in 15 cartons of 2300-watt metal cutting machines. Each carton was stocked with three blocks of high-grade heroin. In total, we recovered 45 blocks of the illicit substance with a total weight of 49.70kg.
“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.”
