Cartels seek new market as NDLEA seizes $1.43m methamphetamine to Cambodia

With an estimated cost of over $325,000 per kilogramme of crystal methamphetamine in South East Asia, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency is poised to counter moves by drug cartels to explore new markets in the illicit drug trade.
The anti-narcotic Agency made good her operational plan following the interception of a textile merchant with 4.4kgs of methamphetamine at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on his way to the kingdom of Cambodia.
This is the first seizure of the year at the airport and the first consignment going to Cambodia.
The estimated street value of the drug is over $1.43 million in Asia.
The NDLEA Commander at the airport, Hamisu Lawan, said the drug, which was concealed inside foodstuff, was detected during the outward screening of passengers on an Ethiopian Airline flight.
Lawan said: “The 40 parcels of suspected whitish substance found on the suspect, Ifeka Charles Obi, 47 years old, tested positive for methamphetamine, with a total weight of 4.4kg.
“The drug was hidden in foodstuff, but we were able to detect it and the suspect also apprehended.”
Preliminary investigation into the case revealed that drug cartels are exploring new markets, but the Agency has a better counter strategy to stop their plan.
It was gathered that the suspect, who hails from Oba Idemili South Local Government of Anambra State, was given the drug in Lagos, but preferred to travel through Abuja.
His travel expenses was taken care of by his sponsors who also promised to pay him the sum of N1 million upon successful delivery of the drugs.
According to Obi: “I am a textile dealer, but I lost everything due to family problems.
“This is my first time of smuggling drugs and I agreed to do it so as to get money for my textile business.
“They promised to pay me N1 million with all expense paid trip to Cambodia.
“The drug was carefully hidden in foodstuff, still it was detected.
“I accept everything as my fate.”
Obi is married with a child.
The Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Colonel Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (retd), expressed confidence in the Agency’s capability to detect drugs and expose the activities of drug trafficking organisations.
Abdallah said: “We have observed that drug syndicates are exploring new Asian markets in search of high profit but this arrest and seizure is a clear indication of our impregnable tradecraft and resolve to stop drug trafficking.
“The Agency will continue to counter the illicit plan of drug barons through superior intelligence and law enforcement practice.”
The NDLEA boss called on stakeholders to remain steadfast in their approach, adding that more drug trafficking organisations shall be dismantled in the course of the year.