Nigerian anti-drug agents seize 24.5 kg heroin from Pakistan

The commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Hamza Umar, said the drug which is worth USD 1.8 million was described by the airway bill as Pakistani hand-knotted new woollen carpets originating from Lahore.

"It left Karachi airport in an Emirate flight as unaccompanied cargo and taken to Nigeria Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) shed, at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos," Umar said.

"The suspicious cargo was monitored by undercover operatives for a week after it arrived. We decided to conduct the search when nobody came to claim it," he said.

In all there were twelve pieces of carpets but only six contained heroin, he said.

"The heroin was prepared into tiny bits inside plastic hollow treads and weaved in a way that makes it difficult to detect unless it is unfastened," Hamza said further.

NDLEA make frequent arrests of drug smugglers at the airport which is situated at the commercial hub of the oil rich African country.

Late last month, the agency arrested a 26-year-old man for trying to smuggle 8.5 kg of methamphetamine to India by concealing the drug inside metal pipes.

NDLEA said the drug in Izunna's possession was worth USD 170,000 and was hidden in metal pipes inside a luggage.

Drug couriers are known to take Nigerian routes to India, Europe and other countries but the NDLEA has become extra vigilant thereby reducing considerably the quantity of opium going through country.

Last November, operatives of Nigeria's customs service (NCS) seized 286 pounds of heroin suspected to be from Iran at Lagos port.

The drugs concealed in cylinders were shipped as building materials by the consignee aboard a vessel MV Montenegro.