Drug Baron Flees As NDLEA Confiscates N6.5bn Worth Of Heroin

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Sunday announced the seizure of 26.15 kilogrammes worth over N6.5bn at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos.

According to a statement signed by the Director, Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi, NDLEA, the seizure was made at the Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc (SAHCO) section of the Lagos Airport.

He stated that the illicit drug had arrived Lagos in 25 parcels from South Africa through an Air Peace Airline flight of 30th June, 2021.

According to the statement, “A follow-up operation was subsequently carried out the following day, 1st July when narcotic officers of the MMIA command trailed the driver and a clearing agent that were assigned to deliver the consignment.

“Investigation revealed that they were to deliver to the house of a baron at Okota, Lagos.”

He further said that the baron fled his home before the arrival of the team of operatives who stormed his residence.

“They were however able to search his home and recovered a number of documents to establish his true identity,” he said.

The NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), as quoted in the statement directed that the fleeing drug baron be declared wanted immediately and his details submitted to Interpol for tracking across the world.

The statement said Marwa had, therefore, directed the agency’s Directorate of Assets and Financial Investigations as well as the Directorate of Intelligence to deploy their networks to fast-track the arrest of the baron.

Marwa said that in view of the volume of heroin brought into country by the fleeing baron, the agency would deploy all available mechanisms, locally and internationally, to track him and bring him to face charges in the law court.

“Those who have been on the run for 10 years and some for five years, we have since tracked them and are now facing charges while cooling their heels behind bars.

“The latest one will not be an exception, because he can only run but can’t hide for too long before we get him,” he said.