Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency
(NDLEA) have aborted an attempt by suspected drug syndicate to smuggle 24.5kg
of heroin concealed inside carpets into Nigeria.
The consignment described in the airway bill as Pakistani
hand-knotted new woollen carpets originated from Lahore, Pakistan. It left
Karachi airport in an Emirate flight as unaccompanied cargo and taken to
Nigeria Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) Shed, at the Murtala Mohammed
International Airport (MMIA) Lagos.
The estimated value of the drug is N294 million. It is the
first discovery of drug inside carpets in the country.
The NDLEA airport Commander, Hamza Umar said the consignment
was examined by the Agency when it was abandoned by the importers.
“The suspicious cargo was monitored by undercover operatives
for a week after it arrived. We decided to conduct the search when nobody came
to claim it. In all, there were twelve pieces of carpets but only six contained
heroin. The heroin was prepared into tiny bits inside plastic hollow treads and
weaved in a way that makes it difficult to detect unless it is unfastened” Mr
Hamza said.
He added that the information on the airway bill was found
to be incorrect by investigators.
The Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade who
described the seizure as breath-taking promised to unveil the importers.
“The drug syndicate did their best concealing the drug but
it was not good enough to go undetected. If drug barons will not lack
concealment methods, we also will not be tired in detecting narcotics. This
seizure is unique because it is the least place anyone will go to in search for
narcotics. We shall continue with investigation until those behind the illegal
shipment are brought to book” Mr Giade said.
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