NDLEA arrests 41 Suspects with N2.3bn worth of drugs

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on Monday said it arrested 41 suspected drug traffickers in the first half of 2013.

NDLEA said in a statement issued by its spokesman, Mitchell Ofoyeju, in Lagos that it recovered drugs valued at N2.3 billion.

It said, "We have apprehended 41 suspected drug traffickers with 253.390kg of narcotics with an estimated street value of N2.3 billion.

The drugs were intercepted between January and June 2013. Those arrested include 39 males and two females.

"The command also won 53 cases most of which were charged to court in 2012. In the first half of the year, the airport command successfully seized 253.390kg of various illegal drugs.

"Methamphetamine alone weighed 169.290kg. This was followed by cannabis with 47.230kg. Cocaine is 31.475kg and heroin 5.395kg.

The 53 drug traffickers convicted include ongoing 2012 cases."

The agency said that the successes recorded were as a result of incentives and motivation for officers, ranging from promotion, commendation letters and cash rewards.

The agency said that three Bolivians and a Colombian were among persons arrested on suspicion of running illicit drug laboratories.