The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, has impounded travellers’ cheques in different foreign currencies with a total value of over N1.1 billion.
Spokesman for the agency, Mr. Femi Babafemi, said in a statement that the cheques suspected to be counterfeits were discovered last Wednesday at the NAHCO export shed of the airport during cargo examination of some consignments meant for exportation to the UK on a cargo flight.
He said the cheques were neatly hidden in four bound hardcover books disguised as academic project literatures.
“Travellers’ cheques in different foreign currencies with a total value of N1, 157, 670,469.92 have been intercepted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja, Lagos by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA,” he said.
He also stated that a suspect, Oguma Uchenna, was arrested in connection with the attempt to export the cheques.
Babafemi disclosed that a breakdown of the cheques showed they had monetary values of $287, 623.31; $1,456,300 and €1,297,800.
Similarly, he said NDLEA operatives at the airport foiled attempts by drug traffickers to smuggle into the country 10.89 kilogrammes of cocaine through a Qatar Airways flight.
He said the illicit drug was hidden in seven children’s duvets packed in an unaccompanied bag from Brazil.
