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Nigeria says heroin was shipped from Iran

By the CNN Wire Staff
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • The drugs were discovered inside auto parts
  • Authorities were tipped off by intelligence reports
  • The seizure comes after Nigeria reported Iran to the U.N. for alleged arms shipment

(CNN) -- Nigerian authorities said Friday they had seized 130 kilograms (286 pounds) of high-grade heroin in a shipment that originated in Iran.

The drugs were hidden inside auto parts and were discovered because of intelligence reports from foreign collaborators, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency said in a statement.

The shipment was seized in the Apapa port in Lagos, Nigeria's largest city.

Some arrests were made, the agency said, though it did not provide any details.

"Drug barons will be frustrated out of the illicit drug business through similar undercover operations. We have successfully established links with our foreign collaborators and will maximize every opportunity to dismantle drug trafficking cartels in the country and West Africa," said Ahmadu Giade, head of the agency.

Last month, Nigeria's security service said that it had seized 13 shipping containers filled with illegal weapons, including rockets, grenades and bullets -- believed also to have come from Iran.

Nigeria reported Iran to the U.N. Security Council after the arms seizure.

Nigerian Foreign Minister Odein Ajumogobia said Tuesday the issue of the weapons shipment would be reviewed by a U.N. sanctions committee that was appointed by the Security Council to monitor the Iranian regime.

U.N. Security Council resolutions prevent Iran from sending weapons abroad.