NDLEA discovers heroin letter in Lagos

Officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) yesterday discovered a letter laden with heroin at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

The letter, which was sent from Bengaluru, India, on Express Mail Service (EMS), was addressed to Yunusa Amusan, 33, in Mushin, Lagos.

Upon interception by the NDLEA, about 480 grams 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.

Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah, chairman/chief executive of the NDLEA, said the discovery was recorded following the diversification of the Agency’s operations.

“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 and water,” Abdallah said.

The NDLEA boss said investigation report revealed that the suspect, who is in custody, allegedly connived with his uncle living in India to import heroin disguised as letters to Nigeria.

Their criminal plan did not materialise due to superior intelligence gathering capacity of the Agency.

He assured Nigerians that the Agency would always work towards a drug-free society.

Mabo Olugbenga, director of operations and general investigation of the NDLEA, said the suspect was apprehended following surveillance report on his illicit drug activities.

In his words, “the illicit smuggling of narcotic drugs under the guise of letters was reported and closely monitored by the agency.

“It was confirmed that Yunusa 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.”

Yunusa, who is a technician, said he had been running errands for his uncle, who lives in India. “I run errands for my uncle who lives in India. He used to send money and letters to me to give to his wives and friends. Sometimes, he will ask me to buy foodstuff and send them to him in India and in return, he gives me money to take care and sustain myself. I am single and a native of Ogun State.

“After my Junior Secondary School Certificate, I could not further my education due to lack of sponsorship. I later learnt how to repair television sets but could not rent a shop to start my own business. The letter my uncle sent to me was opened in my presence and other officers, and it was found to contain heroin,” he said.

The NDLEA said they were prepared to prosecute the suspect and any other person linked to the case.