Thailand returnee arrested in Lagos after NDLEA intercepts 13.30kg heroin hidden in luggage.
(EPICSTORIAN)- The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has cracked down on Thailand returnee, Oguejiofor Nnaemeka Simonpeter, a 29-year-old graduate of Mechanical Engineering, who was apprehended on October 7, 2024, for attempting to smuggle 13.30 kilograms of heroin worth over N3.19 billion.
The Thailand returnee had departed Thailand on October 3, as was reported by NTA, flying with Qatar Airways and making a brief stop in Doha before heading to Lagos, where he attempted to evade airport security at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
NDLEA quick response prevented Thailand Returnee from escaping Lagos Airport
Upon his arrival on October 5, the Thailand returnee arranged for his luggage, which had been routed to Accra, Ghana, to be redirected to Lagos. NDLEA officers, acting on intelligence, intercepted him at the airport exit.
During questioning, the Thailand returnee admitted he was offered $7,000 for delivering the drugs. He was instructed to deliver two parcels in Lagos and the remaining four in Accra, Ghana.
In a separate incident, following Oguejiofor’s arrest, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency
also made seizures of different kilos of illicit drugs at multiple locations, halting transnational drug cartels.
The anti-narcotics agency at three major Nigerian seaports—Lekki Deep Seaport, Apapa Seaport in Lagos, and Port Harcourt Port Complex, Onne—intercepted large consignments of opioids valued at N22.74 billion.
The contraband included 32.6 million pills of tramadol, worth N12.58 billion, and 1.45 million bottles of codeine-based syrup, with a street value of N10.16 billion.
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These illicit shipments, discovered in containers flagged by NDLEA, were processed during joint examinations conducted between October 7 and 11 with customs and other security agencies.
Elsewhere, NDLEA operations continued to yield results. On October 12, in Anambra State, operatives arrested 29-year-old Okelue Chidera with 50,000 tablets of tramadol 200mg in Onitsha.
In Edo State, authorities raided a cannabis transit point in Owan West LGA, seizing 70 bags of cannabis weighing 1,050kg. Another raid on October 11 in Owan Village, Ovia North East LGA, led to the arrest of a suspect, Monday Akele, and the confiscation of 110kg of cannabis.
In addition to these enforcement actions, NDLEA’s nationwide War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative continues to raise awareness about drug prevention.
In the past week, the anti-narcaotic agency conducted educational programs at several schools across the country, including Sacred Heart Girls International Secondary School in Calabar, Methodist Girls High School in Ikot Ekpene, Federal Government Girls Secondary School in Bida, and Ekunle High School in Iseyin, among others to sensitize the public on the dangers of drug abuse.
The agency also engaged communities through advocacy visits, including one to the founder of Afe Babalola University, Aare Afe Babalola.
Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, commended the efforts of the agency’s operatives, highlighting their balanced approach in both reducing drug supply and raising awareness about drug abuse.
“The operational successes of our officers, especially their commitment to the dual strategy of drug supply reduction and demand reduction, are highly commendable,” Marwa stated.
These coordinated efforts reflect NDLEA’s ongoing commitment to curbing drug trafficking and preventing substance abuse across Nigeria, as the agency continues to target major drug syndicates and raise public awareness about the dangers of drug use.
