A renewed wave of interdictory operations spotlighting transnational drug cartels by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has led to the arrest of Thailand returnee, Oguejiofor Nnaemeka Simonpeter, for importing 13.30 kilograms of heroin worth over N3.192billion.
He was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos.
This was disclosed on Sunday by the Director of Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Femi Babafemi adding that, also, NDLEA operatives at three seaports have also intercepted large consignments of opioids with a combined monetary value of N22,740,958,000.
Oguejiofor was arrested on Monday, 7th October 2024, while attempting to smuggle out of the airport the illicit drug concealed in six backpacks and then packed into two big suitcases.
The 29-year-old graduate of Mechanical Engineering from the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli, Anambra state, had left Thailand on 3rd October on a Qatar Airways flight and stopped over in Doha where he spent two days before heading to Lagos while his luggage was routed to Accra, Ghana, his original destination.
After arriving in Lagos on the 5th of October, he contacted the airline to re-route his luggage to Nigeria so that he could pick them up as rush bags in a bit to beat security checks. However, NDLEA officers intercepted him at the point of exit.
A search of his two suitcases revealed three empty backpacks in each box with a large parcel of heroin neatly sewn to all six backpacks. The six parcels were subsequently recovered with a gross weight of 13.30kg.
In his statement, Oguejiofor claimed he was hired for a fee of $7,000 upon successful delivery of the parcels. He said he would deliver two parcels in Lagos and the other four in Accra, Ghana.
While commending the officers and men of MMIA, Lekki seaport, Apapa, PHPC, Anambra, and Edo Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) stated that their operational successes and those of their compatriots across the country especially their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts are well appreciated.
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