NDLEA makes first drug arrest at Lagos airport new international terminal

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recorded the first drug arrest at the new terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

Operatives of the NDLEA reportedly arrested one Ohiagu Sunday, a cleaner said to lead a drug syndicate at the international wing of the airport.

One other member of the airport syndicate, who works with Ohiagu, was also arrested while operatives are still in search of another suspect.

The Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi, said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

Babafemi said Ohiagu was nabbed on Tuesday, August 23, following the arrest of Obinna Jacob Osita, an intending passenger on Air Peace flight to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Osita, according to the NDLEA, was arrested with three bags, two of which contained eight blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 4.25kg, concealed inside a bag with garri (cassava granules) and crayfish.

“Investigations revealed that a Dubai-based drug dealer recruited Obinna, a 42-year-old native of Oyi Local Government Area, Anambra State, to traffic the drugs and equally contracted Ohiagu, a 34-year-old airport cleaner from Orlu West Local Government Area of Imo State, to create access for the unhindered passage of the trafficker.

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“The drug syndicate bust, which is the first drug arrest at the new terminal of the MMIA, comes on the heels of the seizure of a consignment of bottles of juice and beverages, used to conceal skunk for export to Dubai, UAE, through the NAHCO export shed on Monday, August 15.

“A freight agent has already been arrested in connection with the seizure,” the NDLEA disclosed.

In the same vein, attempt by a syndicate to export illicit drugs through the Lagos airport on Wednesday, August 24, was foiled during an outward clearance of passengers on Ethiopian Airline to Oman via Addis Ababa.

A suspect, Jonah Chukwuemeka, was arrested with a total of 1,995 Tramadol tablets with a gross weight of 900 grams hidden in locust bean in his luggage.

The bag containing the illicit substance was handed over to him at the airport by one Olagunju Abbas, who was promptly arrested.