NDLEA arrests three agents for clearing hard drugs

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested three clearing agents for attempting to smuggle two consignments of hard drugs to Malaysia through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. A statement by the anti-narcotics agency on Thursday said the suspects were arrested at the export section of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc at the airport.
The statement by the Head, Public Affairs, NDLEA, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, said the two consignments contained hard drugs referred to as methamphetamine and were meant to be airlifted through an Emirate Airlines flight.
The drug weighing 36.44kg was concealed in foodstuffs and laptop bags declared as “personal effects” by the consignor.
The agency dismissed the claims by the suspects that they thought the drug was a food seasoning.
The statement further quoted the NDLEA Commander at the Lagos Airport, Mr. Hamza Umar, as saying that the seizure was made during a search at the export processing section.
Hamza said, “Following the discovery of the drug, we arrested three clearing agents currently being interrogated.
“Their names are Bolarinwa Labaika, 31;  Abiodun Ofunaya, 30, held in connection with 6.955kg; and Ugochukwu Amagbu, 39, arrested in connection with 29.485kg.
“The total weight of methamphetamine found in both packages is 36.44kg. The first consignment of methamphetamine hidden in garri, dry fish and yams weighed 6.955kg, while the second weighing 29.485kg, was hidden in laptop bags.”
The NDLEA commander said the suspects were cooperating with narcotic investigators in charge of the cases, stressing that they would soon be prosecuted.
“All suspects have made their statements and officers are working to determine their levels of involvement as well as identify other persons connected with the crime,” he  added.
Chief Executive Officer, NDLEA, Mr. Ahmadu Giade, however urged clearing agents to know their customers, saying the law would run its full course if they were found wanting.
“Agents are expected to take necessary precautionary measures such as knowing their customers and conducting checks on any consignment for shipment,” Giade said.
NDLEA quoted one of the suspects, Labaika as saying that he was invited by a fellow agent, Ofunaya to process a shipment to Malaysia.
Ofunaya in his statement however said he was told that the consignments were all foodstuffs.
On his part, Amagbu, said the consignor told him that it contained personal effects.