The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Monday said it had intercepted a letter laden with heroin in Lagos.
Mr Mitchell Ofoyeju, the agency’s spokesman, said the letter was sent from Bangalore, India, via Express Mail Service (EMS). It was addressed to one Mr Yunusa Amusan, 33, in Mushin, Lagos.
“Upon interception by the NDLEA, about 480 grammes of powdery substance that tested positive for heroin, was found inside the letter.
“The thin parcels of heroin were carefully hidden in the letter in a manner that makes it difficult to detect.
“This is the first case of heroin letter discovered by the anti-narcotic agency this year,’’ he said.
Chairman of the agency, Mr Muhammad Abdallah, said that the arrest was recorded following the diversification of the agency’s operations.
The NDLEA boss added that investigations revealed that the suspect, already in custody, allegedly connived with his uncle, who lives in India, to import heroin disguised as letters to Nigeria.
“The operations of the agency have been diversified to cover mail services.
Drug control is an intelligence-led operation and the NDLEA, under my dispensation, will spread its tentacles to all possible areas of narcotic smuggling.
“We will not relent in taking deliberate and sustained efforts towards preventing drug trafficking under any guise in the country, be it by air, land or water,’’ Abdallah stated.
“Their criminal plan did not materialise due to the superior intelligence gathering capacity of the agency.
Mr Mabo Olugbenga, NDLEA Director of Operations and General Investigation, explaining that the suspect was apprehended following surveillance report on his illicit drug activities.
“The illicit smuggling of narcotic drugs under the guise of letters was reported and closely monitored by the agency.
“It was confirmed that Amusan was recruited by his uncle who lives in India, to take delivery of heroin concealed in letters, to avoid arrest by law enforcement agents.
“The suspect was arrested after collecting the letter and further investigation is ongoing,’’ he added.