A Nigerian man has been arrested in Vietnam after authorities allegedly intercepted a shipment containing about 2kg of suspected crystal methamphetamine and two blocks of suspected heroin.
The arrest followed the discovery of the suspected narcotics at the Lao Bao International Border Gate in Quang Tri Province, according to VietnamPlus.
Customs officials reportedly detected unusual images while scanning a package arriving from Laos at about 8:30pm on August 5.
A subsequent inspection allegedly showed that the suspected drugs had been concealed inside electric water heaters and electronic components.
The discovery triggered a joint investigation involving the Customs Sub-Department of Region IX, the Lao Bao border gate customs branch, the drug crimes investigation police division, the anti-smuggling investigation sub-department and the provincial Border Guard.
Investigators subsequently traced the consignment and identified its suspected recipient.
On August 9, officers arrested Izuchukwu Calistus Odionye, a Nigerian national born in 1983, in Ho Chi Minh City while he was allegedly taking delivery of the package.
According to the report, Odionye acknowledged that the consignment contained drugs. He reportedly told investigators that he had been engaged to receive the shipment in Ho Chi Minh City and transport it to Hanoi.
Vietnamese authorities have expanded the investigation as they seek to establish the identities and roles of other individuals allegedly connected to the shipment.
The case remains under investigation.(Naija Parrot.ng)
