Hard drugs valued at N2billion have been seized at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) officials.
Three suspected traffickers were also nabbed along with the drugs.
One of the suspects, (name withheld) was arrested on Sunday during the outward clearance of passengers on Air Marroc, with 7.1 kg of methamphetamine concealed in food spices and packed in a Swiss polo suitcase.
The substance was bound for Spain with a street value of over N2 billion.
According to the NDLEA Commander at the airport, Mr Ahmadu Garba, the closure of borders occasioned by COVID-19 pandemic is responsible for the surge in the prices of these drugs.
“For instance, the price of meth in Australia had increased from $200 to $600 per gramme due to supply cut, hence the desperation by the traffickers and barons alike,” he said.
In another development, the command says it intercepted another suspect at the SAHCO export shed of the airport with 800 grammes of cannabis sativa while operatives also seized 19.950kg of green leaves suspected to be khat.
The cannabis, concealed in foodstuff, was bound for Dubai, UAE.
In a follow-up operation, another suspect was arrested in connection to the seizure of 800 grammes of cannabis.
Investigations are ongoing to establish more leads and get the owner of the khat leaves arrested, a statement by Mr Femi Babafemi, the Director of Media and Advocacy, said.
Commenting on the seizures, the Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, retired Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Marwa,
commended the men and officers of the command for the arrests and seizures.
He said the agency remained committed to its new maxim of offensive action against the activities of drug barons and traffickers wherever they are across Nigeria.
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