**Thailand returnee arrested with heroin at Lagos airport**
A Thai national has been arrested in a bust operation at Lagos airport for possession of heroin valued at over N3.1 billion. The dramatic arrest, carried out by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), underscores the critical importance of combating transnational drug traffickers attempting to flood the country with dangerous illicit substances.
The individual in question, Oguejiofor Nnaemeka Simonpeter, was apprehended as he attempted to smuggle the heroin out of Lagos airport. Stuck in six backpacks and two large suitcases, the heroin of astronomical value was carefully concealed. His modus operandi was well thought out: a stopover in Qatar and then a flight to Lagos, while diverting his original route to Accra, Ghana, to bypass security checks. However, NDLEA operatives quickly uncovered his drug trafficking attempt and arrested him.
This case is unfortunately not an isolated one as the agency has also seized massive quantities of narcotics at the Lagos and Rivers ports. Nearly 32 million tramadol pills were discovered at the Lekki deep seaport, as well as 1.4 million bottles of codeine syrup at the Apapa and Port Harcourt ports. These significant seizures represent a major victory in the fight against drug cartels operating internationally.
The total amount of narcotics seized is over N22 billion, highlighting the alarming scale of drug trafficking in the country. These seizures were made possible through accurate intelligence and close collaboration between the NDLEA, the Nigerian Customs and other security agencies.
In parallel, the NDLEA’s awareness raising activities, as part of its campaign to combat drug abuse (WADA), continue actively in schools, places of worship, workplaces and communities across the country. This balanced approach, combining both the reduction of supply and demand for drugs, is welcomed by the agency’s Chairman, retired General Mohamed Buba Marwa.
In the face of the growing drug trade, it is crucial to strengthen international cooperation and take concerted action to dismantle the criminal networks that exploit the most vulnerable. The NDLEA continues to play a vital role in protecting society from the ravages of drugs, and its recent operations demonstrate its unwavering commitment to this vital cause.