Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have apprehended a 19-year-old student, Benjamin Daberechi, for trying to smuggle 7.2 kg of methamphetamine hidden in crayfish to Europe, where he was going to study.
Daberechi was taken into custody last Wednesday while trying to leave Nigeria via Turkish Airlines flight TK 0624 from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
According to a statement on Sunday by NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, the suspect had during an interview with the operatives, claimed he was heading to Cyprus for studies, adding that a white substance found in his luggage tested positive for Methamphetamine.
“Operatives of the NDLEA, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja arrested a 19-year-old student, Benjamin Daberechi, for attempting to export 7.2Kg of methamphetamine concealed in crayfish to Europe where he was going for undergraduate studies.
“While being interviewed by operatives, Daberechi claimed he was a student on his way to Cyprus for studies, but upon a thorough search of his luggage, he was found in possession of 7.2kg of whitish substance neatly concealed inside a sack of crayfish.
“A field test of the substance however proved positive to Methamphetamine.”
Babafemi also said a female lawyer identified as Ebikpolade Helen was arrested after operatives had recovered 5kg of cannabis and 12 bottles of skuchies in her Lekki apartment.
He said: “Meanwhile, a Lekki Lagos-based female lawyer, Ebikpolade Helen, who specialises in the production and distribution of skuchies, a mixture of cannabis, opioids, and black currant has been arrested in a follow-up operation in Awka, Anambra State following an earlier seizure of 5kg cannabis and 12 bottles of prepared skuchies in her apartment at Lekki.”
Babafemi added that the operatives intercepted a 116.5kg consignment of Colorado hidden in motor spare parts.
“In the same vein, operatives of the Tincan Port Command of the Agency on Tuesday, July 11, intercepted 116.5kg consignment of Colorado, a strong strain of cannabis concealed in bags hidden in a heap of used vehicles parts on the floor of a container marked FCIU 8459700, bearing three units of used vehicles imported from Toronto, Canada.
“Based on intelligence, the agency had requested a 100% examination of the container which arrived at the TICT terminal of the port on June 14. A joint examination with the Nigeria Customs Service, Department of State Services, and other stakeholders on Tuesday, July 11, however, led to the discovery of 233 parcels of the illicit substance stashed inside travelling bags on the floor of the container, covered with used vehicle spare parts.”
Babafemi noted that attempts to export various quantities of illicit substances through courier companies were equally thwarted by NDLEA operatives of the Directorate of Operation and General Investigations in Lagos.
He added that 336 grams of skunk stuffed inside computer hard drives going to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, were seized at a courier firm.
