NDLEA nabs Lagos airport cleaner leading drugs syndicate

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a cleaner at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja Lagos, Sunday Ohiagu, who allegedly leads a drug syndicate at the international wing of the airport.

The spokesperson for NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, said in a statement on Sunday that the suspect was nabbed on Tuesday following the arrest of an intending passenger on an Air Peace flight to Dubai, UAE.

He said the passenger, Obinna Osita, was arrested with three bags, two of which contained eight blocks of Cannabis sativa weighing 4.25kg concealed in cassava product, garri and crayfish.

Mr Babafemi also said another member of the airport syndicate who worked with Mr Ohiagu had also been arrested while operatives were trailing another suspect.

“Investigations revealed that a Dubai-based drug dealer recruited Obinna, a 42-year-old native of Oyi Local Government Area, Anambra, to traffic the drugs and equally contracted Ohiagu, a 34-year-old airport cleaner from Orlu West Local Government Area of Imo, to create access for the unhindered passage of the trafficker.

“The drug syndicate bust, which is the first drug arrest at the new terminal of the MMIA, comes on the heels of the seizure of a consignment of bottles of viju and fearless energy drinks.

“They were used to conceal skunk for export to Dubai, UAE through the NAHCO export shed on Monday, Aug. 15,” he said.

Mr Babafemi said a freight agent had already been arrested in connection with the seizure and more investigations were still ongoing. 

(NAN)