The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 51-year-old woman in possession of 180 grams of heroin at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos.

According to the NDLEA four parcels of brownish powdery substance, which tested positive for heroin was found inside the luggage of the suspect, identified as Akinyemi Monsurat Olajumoke.

A statement by the spokesman of NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, indicated that the suspect who is from Ogun state, was apprehended with the prohibited drug during the screening of passengers on an Ethiopia Airlines flight.

The NDLEA Commander at MMIA, Ahmadu Garba, said the suspect neatly concealed the drugs inside her luggage.

Mr. Garba emphasized that the suspect had travelled to Uganda for one week and, on her return, she was found with four parcels of heroin concealed inside her luggage.

He added that, “the case is under investigation and will be charged to court soon.”

According to the NDLEA spokesperson, the suspect said she got into the illicit business in order to expand her business.

She said a friend introduced her and she invested $3,000 in anticipation of receiving a 100% return.

She purportedly confessed, “I got married after I graduated from Muslim Comprehensive High School Ijebu-Ode. I am a trader. I used to buy and sell female clothes from India. However, due to family problems and the economic situation, my capital is getting smaller and I wanted to expand my business.

“I was introduced into drug trafficking by a friend who invited me to Uganda. I invested my $3,000 into the deal in expectation of over 100 per cent profit. I am sad that things did not go as planned. When the drug was discovered at the airport, I felt as if it was all over for me.”

Commenting on the arrest, Chief Executive of NDLEA, Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah, said that the anti-narcotics agency is ready to tackle drug trafficking cartels in the country.

He declared that Uganda was not a source country for heroin but noted that cartels are not predictable.

“They constantly change their mode of operation, but we are prepared to counter all their tricks. We will remain vigilant in securing our country from the criminal activities of drug trafficking syndicates.

“Investing the sum of $3,000 in drug trafficking when there are numerous legitimate businesses is ill-advised. People must look inwards and protect their family name,” he said.