A 19‑year‑old Pakistani, Iftikihar Muhammed Arslan, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, for attempting to smuggle 25 parcels of heroin into the country.
The suspect, who claimed to be a student of Punjab College in Pakistan, was apprehended at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, by the operatives when the illicit drug was discovered in his luggage during inward screening
In a statement, the NDLEA Head of Public Affairs, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, said the drug was discovered in the suspect’s luggage during inward screening of passengers on board Qatar airline flight.
The statement read in part, “Preliminary investigation has shown that Arslan left Lahore, Pakistan with the drugs to Abu Dhabi then to Doha from where he connected Lagos. He is believed to be working for a Pakistani drug cartel.”
Also speaking, Chairman of NDLEA, Mr. Ahmadu Giade said, “This arrest and seizure will further send a warning to drug trafficking cartels that the Nigeria is winning the fight against narcotics.
“More proactive measures shall be taken to prevent the use of Nigeria as a transit point for illicit drugs. All suspects linked to the crime will be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded.”