A
clearing agent in Lagos has found himself in more trouble than he can
handle after trying to smuggle hard drugs using unusual methods.
NDLEA officials
Daniel Unegbu, a 42-year-old clearing agent, has been arrested.
The man was arrested in connection with 83.4 kilogrammes of drug
that tested positive for ephedrine at the Murtala Muhammed International
Airport, Lagos State.
Unegbu was apprehended with two other suspects – Joseph Ettah, 28,
and Bright Wopara, 31 – by operatives of the National Drug Law
Enforcement Agency at the airport.
Punch Metro reports that the drug, estimated at N4bn, was uncovered in artificial hair usually worn by females.
It was learnt that the drug, which was said to be the largest
quantity of ephedrine seized at the MMIA so far, was to be exported to
South Africa.
A bag of heroin smuggled from Nairobi, Kenya, and cannabis billed
for trafficking to London, were also said to have been abandoned at the
airport.
The NDLEA Commander at the MMIA, Ahmadu Garba, said a preliminary
investigation showed that Unegbu helped the traffickers to conceal the
drug.
He said, “Officials of the NDLEA at the departure hall detected
a bag and during the search, it was found to contain substances that
tested positive for ephedrine, with a total weight of 83.390kg. So far,
three suspects apprehended are being interrogated to determine their
level of culpability. The parcels of ephedrine were concealed in
artificial hair.
“A preliminary investigation revealed that Unegbu, who works as
a clearing agent, collected the luggage from his client and took it to
the airport. Ettah and Wopara are the two luggage handlers who worked
with him.”
The NDLEA Chairman, Col. Muhammad Abdallah (retd.), said the agency
had intensified narcotic screening at the airport to frustrate the
different tricks employed by drug traffickers.
“This end of the year counter-narcotic smuggling strategy had
prevented attempt by a suspected drug trafficking syndicate to export
83.390kg of ephedrine hidden in female hair attachment to South Africa.
“Ephedrine is a precursor ingredient used in the production of
methamphetamine. The estimated street value of the drug is about N4bn.
NDLEA will continue to resist attempt by criminal syndicates to
compromise security through strict law enforcement practice.
“Anti-narcotic agents have been placed on the alert and will
remain vigilant to detect any act of sabotage. The case is under
investigation and anyone found wanting shall be prosecuted in line with
the NDLEA Act,” Abdallah said.
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