NDLEA seizes N6.5bn heroin at Lagos airport

Chinazor Megbolu

The National Drug Law and Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has seized a consignment of heroin worth N6.5 billion at Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

The Director of Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr. Femi Babafemi, on Sunday, said the seized goods weighed 26.150 kilogrammes.

He further noted the illicit drugs arrived Lagos in 25 parcels from South Africa through an Air Peace Airline flight on June 30.

He added the suspect was detained for screening after NDLEA operatives were suspicious of the content of the consignment.

Babafemi hinted that a follow-up operation was carried out by the narcotic officers who trailed the driver and clearing agent assigned to deliver the consignment.

He also pointed out that the substance was delivered to an alleged drug baron identified as Mr. Tony Chidi Onwurolu at No. 132 Lateef Adegboyega Street, off Ago Palace Way, Okota, Lagos, who the agency declared wanted.

Babafemi, however, posited the suspect fled his home before the arrival of the security operatives.

He further maintained that the operatives were able to recover a number of documents to establish his true identity.

The agency also noted that NDLEA Executive Chairman, Major General Mohammed Buba Marwa, had directed that the suspect be declared wanted and his details submitted to Interpol for tracking across the world.

He said the agency’s directorate of assets and financial investigations and the directorate of intelligence have been directed to deploy their networks to fast-track the arrest of Onwurolu.