Officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have apprehended three suspected members of a drug syndicate in connection with unlawful importation of 4.1kg of heroin from India.
According the NDLEA Airport Commander, Hamza Umar, the drug which was cleverly hidden in cooking pots was discovered at the arrival hall of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, during routine search.
He said that the illicit article was imported by a suspected member of a drug cartel who was caught during the screening of passengers on Qatar Airline flight from Dubai.
One of the suspects, Bartholomew Nwokeocha, 43, allegedly brought the drug from India en route Dubai and was apprehended by NDLEA officials when the drug was discovered.
“The drug which was hidden in cooking pots was found during search and the passenger, Nwokeocha, was arrested. Another suspect, Chidozie Alawoba, 30, that came to the airport to receive him was also apprehended.
Also, in a follow-up operation, Akeem Iyanda, 46, another suspected member of the syndicate believed to be the point man of the drug cell in Nigeria, was also arrested,” Hamza disclosed.