The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted travellers’ cheques in different foreign currencies of over ₦1.1billion at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, (MMIA), Ikeja Lagos.
This is contained in a statement by the Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi on Sunday in Abuja.
Babafemi said that at least, a suspect, Oguma Uchenna has been arrested in connection to the attempt to export the checks.
This he said which were neatly concealed inside four bound hard cover books disguised as academic project literatures, to the United Kingdom.
Read Also: IPAC Condemns NDLEA’s Proposed Drug Test On Aspirants
He said that the financial instruments suspected to be counterfeits were discovered on Wednesday April 27 at Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO) export shed of the Lagos airport.
This he said were during cargo examination of some consignments meant for exportation to the UK on a cargo flight.
“A breakdown of the checks shows they have monetary values of Two Hundred and Eighty Seven Thousand, Six Hundred and Twenty Three Dollars, Thirty One Cent ($287, 623.31);
“One Million, Four Hundred and Fifty Six Thousand, Three Hundred Canadian Dollars ($1,456,300) and One Million Two Hundred and Ninety Seven Thousand Eight Hundred (1,297,800) Euros.
“This is with a total value of One Billion, One Hundred and Fifty Seven Million, Six Hundred and Seventy Thousand, Four Hundred and Sixty Nine Naira and Ninety Two Kobo (N1,157, 670,469.92),” he said.
In the same vein, operatives of NDLEA at the airport have foiled an attempt by drug traffickers to smuggle into Nigeria 10.89kilograms of cocaine through a Qatar Airways flight.
Babafemi said that the illicit drug was hidden in seven children’s duvets packed in an unaccompanied bag from Brazil.
He quoted the Chairman, NDLEA, retired Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa as commending the officers and men of the MMIA for the seizures and arrests in the past week.
Marwa charged them and their compatriots across the country to remain steadfast and vigilant in their areas of responsibility.