Travellers’ cheques in different foreign currencies, with a total value of N1,157, 670,469.92billion have been intercepted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The traveller’s cheques were reportedly neatly concealed inside four bound hard-cover books, disguised as academic project literatures, to the United Kingdom (UK).
Head, NDLEA Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, in a release, stated that, at least, a suspect, Oguma Richard Uchenna, has been arrested in connection to the attempt to export the cheques.
“The financial instruments, suspected to be counterfeits, were discovered on Wednesday, 27 April at NAHCO Export Shed of the Lagos Airport during cargo examination of some consignments meant for exportation to the UK on a cargo flight.
“A breakdown of the cheques shows they have monetary values of $287, 623.31; $1,456,300 and €1,297,800, Babafemi stated in the release.
He also disclosed that operatives of NDLEA at the airport have foiled attempt by drug traffickers to smuggle into Nigeria 10.89kilograms of cocaine through a Qatar Airways flight.
The illicit drug, the Head, NDLEA Media and Advocacy stated, was hidden in seven children duvets packed in an unaccompanied bag from Brazil.
“Meanwhile, raid operations in Kaduna, Ondo and Akwa Ibom states have led to the seizure of about 2,000kg of Tramadol, Codeine, Cannabis and Heroin.
“In Ondo State, 401kg of cannabis was recovered and two suspects: Julius Dapo, 56 and Emeka Ikebuaku, 32, were arrested at Ipele forest in Owo area on Sunday, 24 April.
“On same day, a transborder drug trafficker, Chigbo Chinonye, 42, was arrested with amphetamine weighing 2.5kg and heroin, weighing 0.5kg, during stop and search operation conducted along Oron-Ibaka Road on his way to Cameroon. He concealed the drugs using false bottom packaging.
“In Kaduna, a total of 47 cartons of suspected fake Tramadol, comprising 2,350,000 tablets, weighing 1222kg were seized in Zaria on Monday, 25 April.
“A dealer, Chinedu Asogwa, was arrested the following day, 26 April, along Abuja-Kaduna Express Road, with 2919 bottles of cough syrup with codeine, measuring 291.9litres and a gross weight of 396kg,” it was stated in the release.
Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), has commended the officers and men of the MMIA, Ondo, Akwa Ibom and Kaduna commands of the NDLEA for the seizures and arrests in the past week.
He also charged them and their compatriots across the country to remain steadfast and vigilant in their areas of responsibility.
