Mr Tony Mordi, a customs clearing and forwarding agent has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, in an attempt to export 72.320kg of methamphetamine worth about N1.8 billion in international market.
A total of 36 parcels of methamphetamine hidden inside filters meant for export to Mozambique in a South African airline flight.
Speaking on the arrest, the NDLEA commander at the Lagos airport, Mr Hamza Umar, said the mode of concealment was faultless.
“If not for the training we had and the commitment of officers, it was difficult to detect the drugs because the mode of concealment was faultless. You need to go the extra mile to detect the drugs,” Umar said.
The suspect, said he was given only N228,000 by his client to send the consignment to Mozambique.
“I am a licensed customs clearing and forwarding agent. One of my customers called me from Mozambique requesting that I should handle the shipment of his consignment.
“I was given only N228,000 for the shipment. I want my wife to understand and help in taking good care of our kids,” Mr Mordi said.
Chairman of the agency, Alhaji Ahmadu Giade, said the agency would prosecute any agent caught clearing narcotics, stating that it will be deterrent to others.
“This is the single largest seizure of methamphetamine since the year began. We have in the past arrested licensed clearing agents in connection with narcotics. This is a huge seizure considering the monetary value and it is also a threat to security. The agency is working hard to incapacitate drug syndicates and will not hesitate to prosecute any agent found wanting in the discharge of their professional duties.”
The Delta State born Mordi is married with four children and will soon be charged to court, according to agency sources.
The seizure is the single highest recorded since January.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the comment writers alone and does not reflect or represent the views of Uyi Ehigie.