NDLEA smashes international drug syndicate, arrests Thai lady at Lagos Airport

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has smashed an international drug trafficking syndicate with the arrest of a 24-year-old Thai woman, Ms. Pattaphi Wimonnat, while attempting to smuggle 43 parcels of a synthetic strain of cannabis popularly known as ‘Canadian Loud’, into the country.

The agency spokesman, Femi Babafemi, who confirmed the arrest of the suspect in a statement on Sunday, said the illicit consignment weighing 46.60 kilograms hidden in her luggage, was intercepted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, during a routine check by officers on Thursday, February 20.

Babafemi said the suspect who confessed to being a hired drug trafficker, was arrested during the inward clearance of passengers on Qatar Airways flight from Thailand via Doha, Qatar at the arrival hall, terminal 2 of the Lagos airport.

“She said the drug cartel, which recruited her, promised to pay her $3,000 upon successful delivery of the illicit drug consignment in Nigeria,” the agency spokesperson said.

He also said operatives of the NDLEA made other sweeping arrests across different parts of the country.

READ ALSO: NDLEA arrests gunrunners smuggling weapons to bandits in Zamfara

“Another bid by a drug trafficking syndicate to ship 68 parcels of Ghanaian Loud with a total weight of 42.2kg concealed in walls of crated cartons to London, UK, through the export shed of the Lagos airport was also frustrated by NDLEA officers on Friday 21st February.

“Three suspects: a freight agent and two dispatch riders were initially arrested in connection with the seizure before the mastermind of the shipment, Samuel Bitris, was swiftly traced to his Exodus Estate, Ajah, Lagos home where he was arrested.

“At the Port Harcourt Port Complex in Onne, Rivers State, NDLEA officers intercepted 49 cartons containing 49,000 pills of Tamol (a brand of Tramadol 225mg) during a joint examination with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies on Thursday, February 20.

“In other raids across the country: In Nasarawa State, two suspects, Bello Adamu (40) and Pius Azuka (42)—were arrested in Kokona/Keffi with 517 kg of skunk on Saturday, February 22.

“In Niger State, Usman Ruwa (43) and Yunusa Haruna (45) were nabbed while transporting 62.7 kg of skunk in a Toyota Corolla along Sabon Asibiti Road, Kontagora, on Thursday, February 20,” he said.

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