NDLEA seizes N228m heroin from Pakistani student

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."