A 19-year-old Pakistani student, Iftikiha Arslan, was on Tuesday arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, by the officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for trafficking 25.4kg of heroin.
The anti-narcotic agency said the drug worth N228 million, adding that it was also the largest seizure they have made since January this year.
This was contained in a statement issued by the agency's head of public affairs, Mitchell Ofoyeju.
It said the drug was discovered in the suspect's luggage during inward screening of passengers onboard a Qatar airline flight.
"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" it said.
Hamza Umar, NDLEA commander at the airport confirmed the arrest.
"Arslan, a 19-year-old Pakistani, was found in possession of 25 parcels of a 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. He is presently cooperating with the agency's team of investigators" he said.
Arslan, a student of Punjab College Pakistan, who reportedly accepted committing the crime said: "I came into Nigeria as a tourist because my friend told me that Victoria Island and Ikoyi are beautiful tourist centres. 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".
Ahmadu Giade, Chairman of NDLEA, said: "This arrest and seizure will further send a warning to drug trafficking cartels that Nigeria is winning the fight against narcotics.
"While investigation is ongoing, 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. We are prepared to halt the criminal activities of drug barons through coordinated drug detection strategies. We are also working very hard to identify other members of the criminal group".
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