Operatives from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos have apprehended Oguejiofor Simonpeter, a returnee from Thailand, for attempting to import 13.30 kg of heroin valued at over N3.192 billion.
NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi stated that Oguejiofor was arrested on October 7, 2024, while trying to smuggle the drugs concealed in six backpacks packed within two large suitcases.
According to Babafemi, Oguejiofor departed Thailand on October 3 via Qatar Airways, stopping in Doha for two days before arriving in Lagos. His luggage was initially routed to Accra, Ghana, his intended destination.
Upon arriving in Lagos on October 5, he contacted the airline to have his luggage redirected to Nigeria, hoping to retrieve it quickly to avoid security checks. However, he was intercepted by NDLEA officers at the airport exit.
A search of his suitcases revealed three empty backpacks in each, with parcels of heroin expertly sewn into all six backpacks. The total weight of the recovered heroin was 13.30 kg.
Babafemi noted that Oguejiofor claimed he was offered $7,000 to transport the drugs to Nigeria and Ghana, with instructions to deliver two parcels in Lagos and four in Accra.
