• Arrests notorious trafficker at Lagos airport
• Intercepts narcotics billed for US, UAE, China

The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says its operatives of the Anambra State Command have recovered 58.5 grammes of cocaine and 13.9 grammes of heroin concealed in the palace of a prominent traditional ruler in the state.

Though the agency did not disclose the identity of the monarch, it said investigations are ongoing to unravel how the illicit drugs were hidden in the palace.

According to a statement by Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, the palace security guards are helping in tracing the dealer behind the consignment.

Babafemi also said a notorious drug trafficker, Hassan Bishi Taiwo was been arrested by operatives of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Command with three parcels of cocaine concealed in a false bottom created in his suitcase.

“Preliminary investigations reveal that Hassan, who was intercepted at the E-Arrival hall of the MMIA at the weekend upon arrival on board Ethiopian airlines at 1:30pm Friday, has been plying the illicit trade through the Middle East routes for some time.

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“According to the Commander, MMIA Command of the Agency, Ahmadu Garba, ‘the suspect came into Nigeria through Addis-Ababa but he actually travelled to Addis-Ababa from Abuja. Upon a thorough search, we discovered another ticket on him while our findings also show that he has been plying his criminal trade through some Middle East countries.’ADVERTISEMENT

“In the same vein, narcotic officers attached to a courier company in Lagos have intercepted 500grammes of unaccompanied cocaine going to the United Arab Emirates and concealed inside the walls of packed cartons containing clothes. The operatives also intercepted in another courier firm one kilogramme of cannabis concealed in cream bottles going to UAE while 500grammes of ketamine hidden in artefacts and going to the US was also recovered from the same company in Lagos. Equally, another 480grammes of unaccompanied methamphetamine going to China was recovered from the same courier company.

“Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brig. General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) has commended the Commanders, men and officers involved in the operations for their vigilance and charged them to continue with the vigour the offensive action maxim of the new leadership of the lead anti-drug agency,” it read.