The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has confiscated over N4 billion worth of cocaine at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja.
NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi said in a statement on Sunday in Lagos that operatives confiscated the consignments in 845 wraps on October 29.
He added that the consignments, weighing 18.72 kilogrammes, were concealed in two lavatories of an Ethiopian-bound flight and that they were found during post-landing cleaning of the cabin.
Mr Babafemi said the illicit consignments were wrapped in polythene bags and hidden in the waste collectors in the two rear lavatories of the aircraft when they were recovered.
He said that operatives have interrogated at least 30 suspects in connection with the seizure.
“Investigations revealed that the seized drugs were conveyed from Brazil to Ethiopia through ingestion and excreted in Addis Ababa by a set of couriers.
“While some other traffickers picked them up and attempted to smuggle them into Nigeria through the Lagos Airport before their attempt was frustrated with the cooperation of the airline’s authorities and other airport stakeholders,” Mr Babafemi said.
He further said the agency’s operatives also thwarted traffickers’ attempt to export 2.928kg cocaine, cannabis and tramadol 225mg concealed in body cream containers, including pieces of artwork, to Australia, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.
The NDLEA spokesman said the syndicate had attempted to use some courier companies in Lagos to export the drug before officers blocked them.
Mr Babafemi said other consignments, comprising 754,000 pills of tapentadol and acetaminophen 225mg worth N525,000,000, were intercepted at the Apapa seaport in Lagos on October 29.
He said the items were part of a targeted and watch-listed container from India, seized during a joint examination with men of the Customs Service and other security agencies.
(NAN)
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