Travellers’ cheques in different foreign currencies with a total value of N1.1 billion have been intercepted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos State by the operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The anti-narcotic operatives also arrested a suspect, Oguma Richard Uchenna, in connection to the attempt to export the cheques, which were concealed inside four bound hardcover books disguised as academic project literature, to the United Kingdom.
According to a statement issued and made available to The Star on Sunday by the NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, the cheques suspected to be counterfeits were discovered on Wednesday, April 27 at NAHCO export shed of the Lagos airport during cargo examination of some consignments meant for exportation to the UK on a cargo flight.
Babafemi noted that a breakdown of the cheques showed they have monetary values of two hundred and eighty-seven thousand, six hundred and twenty three dollars, thirty-one Cent ($287, 623.31); one million four hundred and fifty-six thousand three hundred Canadian dollars ($1,456,300), and one million two hundred and ninety-seven thousand eight hundred (1,297,800) euros.
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He added that NDLEA operatives at the airport also foiled an attempt by drug traffickers to smuggle 10.89kilograms of cocaine into Nigeria through a Qatar Airways flight.
Babafemi disclosed that the illicit drug was hidden in seven children’s duvets packed in an unaccompanied bag from Brazil.
Commending the anti-drug officers for the seizures and arrests, the Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), charged the operatives and their compatriots across the country to remain steadfast and vigilant in their areas of responsibility.
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