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Sniffer dogs of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, yesterday recorded their first major seizure of narcotics after they detected a heroin-laden consignment from Iran.
According to the anti-narcotic agency, the consignment had been placed on surveillance following alert signal of the sniffer dogs. The operation led to the ultimate abandonment of 16 kilogrammes of high-grade heroin worth N160 million by a suspected drug syndicate at the National Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) shed at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos.
The brownish substance that tested positive was packed in white transparent polythene and hidden inside metal pipes. The drug, which was industrially packed was brought as cargo on an KLM flight from the Republic of Iran. The estimated street value of the drug in Lagos, Nigeria was about N160 million and could be four times higher in international market said an NDLEA official.
The Agency conducted 100 percent search because of the alert given by the sniffer dogs. A welder was invited to forcefully cut the pipe opened. The effort paid off when the heroin was found. The cargo with Air Waybill number 0747419547 was addressed to one Mr. Nnaemeka Chinedu Joseph of 64, Ladipo Industrial Road, Mushin Lagos.
According to the Airport Commander Hamza Umar, the consignment arrived from Iran but was left unclaimed. “The consignment was at the NAHCO shed upon arrival from Iran. Based on suspicion, we placed it under observation. However, when nobody came forward to take delivery of the consignment, we first brought in the sniffer dogs to examine it. The dogs alerted that the thick metal pipes are positive for narcotics. This was what emboldened us to conduct extensive examination openly witnessed by customs, police and other security officials. They were all amazed at the clever way the drug was concealed,” Hamza explained.
Impressed by the latest discovery, Chairman/Chief Executive of the Agency, Ahmadu Giade said the action was an eloquent testimony that drug trafficking syndicates were losing the drug war. “This is another important seizure to the Agency and the country. It points to the fact that our control measures at the exit and entry points are getting better by the day. No doubt, it is a huge loss for the drug cartel behind the illegal shipment.
This is a very successful operation and we have launched full-scale investigation into the illegal import. We hope to unveil the culprits soonest,” Giade stated. The NDLEA boss added that the role of the sniffer dogs in the seizure underscored the importance of logistic support in the drug war