With just few days to the end of 2013, three customs-licensed clearing and forwarding agents and a motorcycle parts dealer have been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA,for attempting to smuggle 352 million naira worth of meth out of the country.
This was as a clandestine laboratory, where meth, a powerful addictive stimulant was discovered at a location, off Lekki-Epe Express-way Lagos. The dis-covery has brought the number of such laboratories uncovered by the NDLEA in the last two years to six.
*Adewusi Segun with the parcels of meth
Meanwhile, the suspects, arrested in connection with the 352 million naira worth of meth weighing 70.4kg, were identified as Adewuyi Segun, 45, Atebata Godwin, 27, Akpaida Kareem Ajayi, 33 and Ukpabi Paul 36. It was gathered that they met their waterloo at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos, while attempting to export the illicit drugs to Malaysia, through an Ethiopian Airways flight.
The NDLEA Lagos Airport Commander Mr. Hamza Umar, who confirmed the arrest said: “the methamp-hetamine consignments include 32.7kg brought by Adewuyi Segun, 20kg brought by Ukpabi Paul and Akpaida Kareem Ajayi as well as 17.7kg brought by Atebata Godwin. All the suspects are cooperating with investigators,” he stated.
One of the suspects, Ukpabi Paul, who hails from Imo State and sells motorcycle parts at Nnewi, Anambra State, appealed for mercy stating that he is a first time offender. “I am married with three children. My role was to give the drug to a clearing agent by name Akpaida Kareem Ajayi. Please, be merciful …it is my first time”, he pleaded.
While Akpaida Kareem Ajayi, blamed his involvement on greed and desire to make quick money. According to him: “I have myself to blame because they paid me 500,000 naira to send the shipment. I agreed to participate in the illegal deal because of money that was offered to me.”
However, the discovery of a meth laboratory in an urban area has been described as injurious to public health and safety. Two schools, Rock of Ages Creche Nursery and Primary School and Regal Gems International School, were said to be located very close to the building used for the laboratory.
A 30-year-old man with dual nationality of Nigeria and South Africa, identified as Michael Anum, was arrested in connection with the laboratory. While methamphe-tamine, weighing 31.7kg and a Nissan Xterra SUV belonging to the suspect, were also recovered from the laboratory.
Mr. Anum who is believed to be the owner of a transport company in South Africa is currently being investigated by the anti-narcotic Agency.
The Commander NDLEA Lagos State, Aliyu Sule who supervised the operation disclosed that the command acted on intelligence report. According to Aliyu, “ we received an intelligence report on the illicit activities taking place at the building . When we raided the premises, we observed that methamphetamine production was in progress. A total of 31.7kg of methamphetamine have been seized at the laboratory”.
Ahmadu Giade, chairman of the NDLEA, in his response commended the officers for the discovery. “This latest discovery of illegal Methamphetamine laboratory is commendable. The Agency is determined to arrest this disturbing drug trend in the country. Drug barons have no hiding place in the country because our counter-intelligence service will soon detect their inimical activities and bring them to justice”.
Source: Vanguard
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