At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos alone, the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency said it had seized 253.390kg of hard drugs between January and June 2013. The street value of the drugs was N2.3bn.
The agency said Nigeria exported more hard drugs than it imported. It also said 19.195kg of hard drugs was detected during inward screening operations, while 234.195kg of the subtances was seized during outward operations.
NDLEA stated that the exported volume remained high due to local production of methamphetamine and cannabis.
“All the seizures of methamphetamine weighing 169.290kg was meant for export. In addition, 47.230kg of cannabis was also going out,” said the Head, Public Affairs, NDLEA, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, on Friday.
Of all the drugs intercepted within the period, methamphetamine had the highest volume at 169.290kg. Cocaine came second at 31.475kg; heroin, 5.395kg; and cannabis, 47.230kg.
NDLEA further said it intercepted 172.175kg of the drugs in the first quarter (January to March), while 81.215kg was seized in second quarter (April to June).
It added that no fewer than 41 suspects made up of 39 males and two females were arrested during the period.
Ofoyeju said, “As a result of the development, the Chairman/Chief Executive, NDLEA, Mr. Ahmadu Giade, has directed the investigation department to beam its searchlight on illegal methamphetamine laboratories in the country.
“He has also placed a handsome reward on the successful dislodgement of any drug production cartel. This reward is to motivate officers to put in their best in every assignment. The reward ranges from promotion, commendation letters and cash rewards,” he said.
The NDLEA spokesman noted that in the past two years, the agency discovered five clandestinemethamphetamine laboratories in the country. He said four were detected in Lagos, while one was found in Nanka village, Anambra State.
“Three Bolivians and a Colombian were among suspects arrested over suspicion of running the illicit drug laboratories,” he added.
Ofoyeju explained that drug traffickers often adopt various modes of concealing their drugs at the airports, including the use of industrial equipment, foodstuffs, bags and other items.
He said, “Recently, some smugglers were caught importing cocaine inside ceramic and buttons. The discovery was made at the arrival hall of the MMIA, Lagos, when officers broke the ceramic ornaments to recover the drug.
“Two suspected drug traffickers were arrested in connection with the illegal import from Brazil.”
He quoted Giade as saying the agency was prepared to uncover tricks adopted by drug barons in smuggling drugs, noting that the barons were running out of tricks.
Ofoyeju said the suspects would soon be charged to court.