NDLEA seizes N228m heroin from Pakistani student

A Pakistani student, Iftikiha Arslan

A Pakistani student, Iftikiha Arslan, has been arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for trafficking 25.4 kilogrammes of heroin.

 A statement by 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 estimated street value of the seized drug was said to be N228m.

 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.”

 NDLEA Commander at the Lagos Airport, Mr. Hamza Umar, confirmed the arrest.

He said, “Arslan, a 19-year-old Pakistani, was found in possession of 25 parcels of brownish substance that tested positive for heroin weighing 25.400kg at the arrival hall. The drug was hidden in a smaller bag inside his luggage.”

 Arslan, a student of Punjab College Pakistan, reportedly owned up to the crime.

He said, “This is my first time of coming to Nigeria and I had intended to spend a week or two. Unfortunately, when I arrived at the Lagos airport, the heroin was found in my luggage.”

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.”