Photo: NDLEA arrests Pakistani student with N228m worth of Heroin in Lagos

 

A Pakistani student, Iftikiha Arslan, who is believed to be working for a Pakistani drug cartel, has been arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for trafficking 25.4 kilogrammes of heroin.

Head of Public Affairs of NDLEA, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, said the drug was discovered in the suspect’s luggage during inward screening of passengers on board Qatar airline flight. It was believed that Arslan left Lahore, Pakistan with the drugs to Abu Dhabi then to Doha from where he connected to Lagos. The estimated street value of the seized drug was said to be N228m. 

In his confessional statement, Arslan denied knowledge of the drugs in his bag, saying he was here in Nigeria to experience the beauty of Victoria Island and Ikoyi

"I am a student of Punjab College and I am in Nigeria as a tourist because my friend told me that Victoria Island and Ikoyi are beautiful tourist centres. Unfortunately, when I arrived at the Lagos airport, the heroin was found in my luggage. This is my first time of coming to Nigeria and I had intended to spend a week or two.” he said.

Confirming the incident, the Chairman of NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade said that this was the highest drug arrest they have made since this year and it goes to show that NDLEA is winning the fight against drug trafficking
"This arrest and seizure will further send a warning to drug trafficking cartels that Nigeria is winning the fight against narcotics. NDLEA is prepared to halt the criminal activities of drug barons through a coordinated drug detection strategies. We are working very hard to also identify other members of the criminal group" he said