N30bn Worth Of Drugs Seized By NDLEA In 2016-Agency
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) , Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) command has said it arrested 103 suspected drug traffickers and seized over 779.919kgs of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances with an estimated street value of N30 billion in 2016 alone.
According to the the narcotics agency in a statement issued yesterday, those arrested include 17 females and 86 males. 42 of the suspects were intercepted while bringing drugs into the country while sixty-one (61) others were nabbed attempting to smuggle drugs out of the country.
Several methods employed by drug traffickers to hide their drugs from narcotic officers at the airport include luggage packing in foodstuff, body concealment, ingestion and anal insertion.
NDLEA commander at the Lagos airport, Ahmadu Garba gave the breakdown of seized drugs as follows; psychotropic substances 411.77kg, methamphetamine 175.365kg, ephedrine 102.010kg, cocaine 45.415kg, cannabis 27.616kg and heroin 17.740kg.
Apart from the estimated value of the seized drugs, physical cash seized within the year under review include three hundred and twenty-six thousand, one hundred and forty Euro (€326,140) and thirty-eight thousand, eight hundred dollars ($38,800). The figures indicate an increase of one hundred and eighty-seven (187kg) over drugs seized in 2015 and a reduction of arrests made by thirty-nine (39).
Chairman/Chief Executive of the Agency, Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (retd) said that the threat of drug trafficking must be eliminated in the interest global peace and development.
Abdallah who gave the assurance at the presentation of 2016 performance report of the Lagos airport command informed that the Agency has adopted measures to prevent drug syndicates from enjoying the illicit proceeds of drug trafficking. Abdallah made this known at the presentation of 2016 performance report of the Lagos airport command.
The NDLEA boss while commending the performance of the Lagos airport command noted that effective drug control is crucial in promoting sustainable development.
“Drug trafficking constitutes a threat to global health, peace as well as economic growth. The successful seizure of drugs from cartels worth over thirty billion naira is impressive and commendable. This feat was achieved due to effective collaboration, strict law enforcement practice, dedication of officers and judicious application of knowledge acquired through capacity building programmes”, Abdallah said.