HARD DRUGS worth about 1.8 billion naira was found by agents of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency on Thursday in the possession of a customs and clearing agent on his way out of Nthe country.
Weighing 72.32 kilograms, the drugs were packaged in 36 parcels hidden insides what the agency described as filters meant for transport to Mozambique from the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, on board a South Africa Airline flight.
Briefing newsmen yesterday, spokesman of the NDLEA, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, revealed the drugs as methamphetamine, worth about 1.8 billion naira.
He said the siezure was the single largest seizure made by the agency since January.
“The seizure is the single highest recorded since January and was made at the cargo section.
“But for the training we had and the commitment of officers, it would have been difficult to detect the drugs due to the mode of concealment,’’ Ofoyeju said.
The spokesman quoted the suspect as saying that he was given N228,000 by his client to send the consignment to Mozambique.
“I am a licensed customs clearing and forwarding agent,” the suspect was quoted as saying.
“One of my customers called me from Mozambique and requested that I should handle the shipment of his consignment.
“I was given only N228,000 for the shipment. I want my wife to understand and help in taking good care of our kids, “ the suspect also said, according to Mr. Ofoyeju.
The name of the suspect could not be ascertained as at press time.