Emeka
Ibemere
What could make a woman to swallow 100 wraps
of cocaine; board a flight and travel from Nigeria to Karachi, Turkey, USA,
London or Pakistan just to make money?
Is it economic pressure, to keep up with her
social class, pressure as a breadwinner, get money quick-syndrome or share
greed?
Whatever may be the case, the National Drug
Law Enforcement Agency says the rate at which Nigerian women are embracing drug
business is highly alarming.
According to the statistics churned out by
the agency after reviewing last year’s anti-narcotic activities, out of, out of
420 suspected drug traffickers nabbed between January and October, last year in
the Lagos State command alone 33 were females while 387 males.
Daily Newswatch gathered that a total of
4,100.077kg of drugs were also seized from the women.
The drugs seized from the mothers include
cannabis, psychotropic substances, methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine.
This is against the drugs the agency
intercepted in 2012. A total of 233,699.875kg of narcotics were seized in 2012,
1,404.27 hectares of cannabis plantation were also destroyed. 8,052 suspected
drug traffickers comprising 7,510 males and 542 females were arrested.
The drug seizures with an estimated street
value of over N33bn consist of 228,794.13kg of cannabis, 3,905.447kg of
psychotropic substances, 461.15kg of ephedrine, 211.325kg of heroin, 176.55kg
of methamphetamine, 131.888kg of cocaine and 19.385kg of amphetamine. The NDLEA also successfully prosecuted 1,720
persons for various drug offences.
Investigation shows that total number of women
arrested last year from all the commands and special commands, including the
International airports are 760 while about 250 were prosecuted.
Topping last year’s league of women drug
traffickers was a case of a 48 year old widow who concealed 66 wraps of
methamphetamine weighing one kilogramme in her private parts.
She was to board a Kenyan Airways flight to
Nairobi when she was apprehended. Another woman equally shocked the officers at
the airport when she strangely and industrially concealed 2.472kg of cocaine in
ear rings, buttons, necklaces, bangles as well as in female belts. The
consignment originated from Brazil through the Lagos airport but the NDLEA
intercepted the wares.
In the same fate was a 32 year old single
lady, Chizoba Anya Vivian who is currently being quizzed by anti-narcotic
officers for allegedly excreting wraps of substance that tested positive for
methamphetamine on-board a Qatar Airline Flight from Malaysia.
The suspect was said to have aroused
suspicion following her frequent visit to the toilet. On arrival at the Murtala
Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos, three wraps of methamphetamine was
found in her possession.
NDLEA Commander at the Lagos Airport, Mr.
Hamza Umar, said that the suspect while under observation excreted two
additional wraps. “The suspect was found with three wraps which she excreted in
the aircraft. While she was under observation at the Lagos airport, she
excreted two additional wraps of drugs. The five wraps which tested positive
for methamphetamine weighed 80 grammes”.
Preliminary investigation also revealed that
the suspect left Ghana where she ingested the drugs to Malaysia. In Malaysia,
she was denied entry and made to board another flight back to Nigeria. She
started excreting the drugs at the airport in Malaysia.
Experts say the drugs could have burst in her
tummy if she had spent less than three hours later and that she was lucky to
have been denied entry into Malaysia. Malaysia has a capital punishment on drug
trafficking.
Vivian in her statement said she was offered
N500, 000 to smuggle the drugs to Malaysia.
“I was promised the sum of half a million
naira but my problem started when I had immigration problem in Malaysia. I was
denied entry and made to return to Nigeria after two days. While in the
aircraft, I excreted three wraps and two other wraps in the NDLEA office.”
Vivian stated.
Vivian hails from Onitsha and has her Higher
National Diploma (HND) in Business Administration at the Federal Polytechnic
Oko, Anambra State.
“I just completed my HND programme and I am
from a very poor family. I wanted to use the money they promised me to assist
my siblings by smuggling the drug to Malaysia.” she added.
Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu
Giade in his reaction warned against get –rich- quick- syndrome.
“Drug
traffickers must avoid get- rich- quick -syndrome and understand that a good
name is better than ill-gotten wealth that comes without peace of mind.” Giade
stated.
The NDLEA boss also urged passengers to be
vigilant and report suspicious passengers to authorities.
Desperation to survive could be a killer
punch. For her, the utmost feeling running through her mind was the desperation
to succeed and this was what led another 34 year old nursing mother to throw
caution and her three months old baby aside to peddle in illicit drugs.
As a licensed Clearing and Forwarding agent
with five years working experience and a nursing mother, Mrs. Mbonu Chizoba,
knew that survival by all means possible; was what she needed to announce her
arrival in the comity of cream de societe.
But her courage failed her and now at the
popular Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) Cell Shed at Murtala
Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, NDLEA Lagos State office, Mrs
Mbonu is in a sticky situation as to what happened to her. Worst, her three
month’s old little ‘Chizoba’ junior has been denied of her mother’s care because
she was yet to be granted bail. Chizoba was arrested by the NDLEA for trying to
ferry illicit drugs out of the shores of Africa through Nigeria.
Mrs. Mbonu is currently being on trial in
connection with the unlawful exportation of 6kg of cannabis to China.
Officials say she was detected of illicit
drugs during routine inspection of cargoes at the Nigerian Aviation Handling
Company (NAHCO) Shed, Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos.
According to the operatives, her packaging of
the contraband was too tricky, capable of beating preying eagle eyes of the
operatives at the NACHO shed. It was gathered that the sealing of the items
were perfectly done and one resembling a work of a Clearing and Forwarding
expert.
She could have beaten the security checks if
not for the thorough examination of the items tendered for screening. The
compressed dried weeds that tested positive for cannabis was hidden in a
luggage meant for export on an Ethiopian airline flight.
The law being no respecter of any body, Mrs.
Mbonu will face trial despite the fact that she was a nursing mother at the
time of her arrest.
It was
gathered that she won’t be released until her trials are concluded. NDLEA says
they have given her option of staying with her three months old infant in the
custody of NDLEA and continued her exclusive breastfeeding or release the baby
to her grandparents and face her trial.
NDLEA Lagos Airport commander, Mr. Hamza Umur
said that the suspect has a choice to be with her three months old baby while
trial lasts.
“The suspect Mrs. Mbonu Chizoba brought a bag
for export to China. During search, 6kg of compressed cannabis was found inside
the bag. The bag contains clothing, cell phones, cell phone batteries and
shoes. She is currently undergoing investigation but she has a choice to be
with her baby during the course of investigation,” Hamza stated.
According to Mrs. Mbonu in her statement, she
was not aware of the deal she struck with the business owners who she claimed
that owned the suspected illicit drugs. She said that she was a victim of
circumstance. Narrating her ordeal of arrest, she quipped:
“I am
a licensed clearing and forwarding agent with five years working experience. I
was given the bag by a client to send to China. In the process of searching the
bag, the drug was found inside the bag. I was told that the bag contained
sample goods, unfortunately drug was hidden inside”, Mrs Mbonu stated. But the
NDLEA says ignorance of the law is not an excused.
NDLEA Chairman, Ahmadu Giade said that the
Agency would intensify efforts in arresting other persons connected with the
shipment.
“Efforts are ongoing to identify and
apprehend other persons connected with the case. The Agency will continue to
prevent drugs from coming in and out of the country through superior
counter-narcotic operations” Giade stated.
According to Mitchell Ofoyeju in a press
Release concerning the incident, the suspect has been charged to court in May
2013.
Also on trial is another 38 year-old single
mother who was intercepted by the officials of the NDLEA. The agency foiled her
attempt to smuggle 645 grammes of cocaine hidden in a female hand bag out of
the country to Turkey.
The arrest was made at the departure hall of
the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos during the outward
screening of passengers on a Turkish airline flight.
NDLEA Airport Commander, Hamza Umar gave the
name of the suspect as Ezeji Ulomma and said that preliminary investigation
revealed that the suspect invested N2.3million into the illicit drug
transaction. “One Ezeji Ulomma a single mother was found in possession of
powdery substance that tested positive to cocaine on her way to Turkey. We also
gathered that she invested N2.3million in the drug deal in anticipation of
higher profit. The drug which was carefully hidden in her hand bag was detected
during screening of passengers,” Hamza stated.
According to the suspect, she was convinced
to invest in the drug business because of the higher profit margins involved.
In her words:
“I am a
trader. I import ladies hand bags, shoes and clothes. I used to make little
profit in my business. My boyfriend told me that I can make four times my
capital in one successful drug deal. He has been persuading me for long but I
was afraid that I may be arrested. I decided to give it a trial to expand my
capital base. They concealed the drug in the hand bag while I contributed
N2.3million”, she added. “Somebody was to receive the drug in Turkey and give
me my share of the money with which I had planned to buy goods in France”.
Ulomma hails from Imo State. She attended Ata
Girls Secondary School, Mbaitolu and relocated to Lagos since 2008.
Satisfied with the arrest, NDLEA
Chairman/Chief Executive, Ahmadu Giade said that those who wish to make money
from drug trafficking will end up disappointed like the suspect.
“The Agency is not oblivious of the tricks
employed by drug traffickers. As the end of year is approaching, we are
prepared to counter all plans of drug cartels. Just like Ezeji Ulomma, anyone
planning to smuggle drugs in anticipation of becoming rich will only end up in
prison custody” Giade stated. “The suspect will be charged to court soon”.
As that wasn’t enough, Operatives working for
the NDLEA intercepted a consignment of 195 grammes of heroin inside a bag of
female artificial hair at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA)
Lagos.
The seizure was made on December 31, 2013
during search of luggage to Monrovia, Liberia in an Arik flight. Officials
arrested the consignor, a 34 year old housewife, Nsofor Ngozi Anderlin for
attempting to export the drug to her husband in Liberia.
“My
husband called me from Liberia where he lives that somebody will give me a bag.
He told me to buy female artificial hair in the bag and send it to him. I bought
the hair attachment as instructed by my husband”, she stated. “This is not my
first time of sending goods to my husband. Unfortunately, officers at the
Airport found heroin inside the bag during search,” Nsofor Ngozi Anderlin said.
The suspect hails from Imo State. She said
that her regret was that the bag was sent by her husband.
“I really feel bad that the bag where the
drug was found was sent to me by my husband. I am here writing statement when I
ought to be preparing for my New Year celebration at home,” she lamented.
NDLEA commander at the Lagos Airport, Mr.
Hamza Umar, said that the artificial hair was used as a distraction.
“The artificial hair was just a distraction
knowing that heroin was industrially concealed in a false bottom of the bag. It
took the experience of the officers to have detected the drug at the luggage
checking desk. Preliminary investigation indicates that it is a family
business. The suspect will soon be charged to court” Hamza disclosed.
Commenting on the arrest, the Chairman/Chief
Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade said that the involvement of the couple in
drug trafficking is sad.
“It is sad for a married couple to get
involved in drug trafficking. What legacy are they bequeathing to their
children? Parents must live by example because they have a responsibility to
inculcate discipline in their children. The Agency remains dedicated to strict
drug law enforcement as efforts are ongoing to determine the role of the
husband,” Giade assured.
In the list of top players in the league of
traffickers are three suspected female drug traffickers held at the Nnamdi
Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. They were arrested over smuggling of
4.500 kilograms of narcotics in their pants and hair wigs by operatives of
NDLEA.
Two of the suspects who were to board an
Egypt airline flight to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, through Cairo were caught with
3.6 kilograms of methamphetamines neatly hidden in customized under wears and
hair wigs, while the other female suspect who claimed to be three months
pregnant was found to have ingested 900 grams of substance that tested positive
for cocaine.
NDLEA Commander at the Abuja Airport, Mr.
Hamisu Lawan gave the names of the suspects as Ms Anene Blessing Iruoma, age
26, Ms Obiakor Maryann Okwudili, age 34 and Ms Mbechi Obiageli Susan, age 38.
"Anene and Obiakor concealed 1.7
kilograms and 1.90 kilograms of methamphetamine respectively in under wears and
hair wigs, while Mbechi ingested 900 grams of substance that tested positive
for cocaine”, the commander stated.
"The drugs were detected during routine
screening of passengers. The suspects are helping narcotic officials in our
investigation. Anene who hails from Igbariam in Anambra State with Passport
number A03660604 was found to be wearing a customized brazier, pants and hair
wig all stuffed with substances which tested positive for methamphetamine
weighing 1.7 kilograms. Obiakor who hails from Nando in Anambra State with
passport number A01444553 was apprehended on same flight with Anene. She too
concealed 1.90 kilograms of methamphetamine in under wears".
Lawal said Mbechi, with passport number
A00288396 hails from Oduma village in Enugu State and ingested 900 grams of
cocaine and was arrested on her way from Sao-Paulo, Brazil with the aid of
scanning machines. Mbechi excreted 51 pellets of cocaine weighing 900 grams.
There was one Uwimana Aisha, 38 years old
Burundian woman who cart-walked into the waiting arm of the operatives of the
NDLEA while trying to escape from arrest at the airport. She was arrested
immediately on arrival in Nigeria with 2.390kg of heroin in her possession.
The suspect boarded Air-Rewane from Tanzania
and landed in Nigeria but she was apprehended by officials of the National Drug
Law Enforcement Agency at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA),
Ikeja, and Lagos State.
Her arrest followed the detection of 2.390kg
of heroin in her possession. A competent source said the suspect on immediately
landing at the MMIA, used her Hijab and covered the face so as to look innocent
from being searched at the airport.
The male operatives was said to have cornered
her to a corner and handed her over to a female operatives who took her to a
private chamber meant for the screening of female suspects at the arrival hall
for screening.
After frisking her hand luggage which she
reluctantly allowed for screening, a substance suspected to be heroin was
discovered from her.
The substance was buried inside her luggage
to evade detection and her mode of dressing was meant to evade suspicion of the
preying eyes of the security men at the airport.
NDLEA Airport Commander, Mr. Hamza Umar
stated that the suspect concealed the drug in her hand luggage.
He said. “A Burundian by name, Uwimana Aisha
had in her hand luggage two parcels of powdery substance that tested positive
for heroin weighing 2.390kg. The case is under investigation,” Hamza stated.
It was
gathered that she was shocked when the items were being brought out of her
luggage. Aisha was not forthcoming with the owner of the luggage and bluntly
refused to give out the name of the man she said was her boyfriend that gave
her the drugs.
But in her statement before her captors, the
suspect claimed the bag was given to her by her boyfriend.
“My Nigerian boyfriend gave me the bag in Tanzania.
He promised to marry me and take care of my only daughter”, she state. “We were
to come to Nigeria together but he later said that he will join me the
following day. I trusted him because he was nice to me,”
Aisha’s trust to her boyfriend has kept her
in a cell of the NDLEA.
While at the National Aviation Handling
Company (NAHCO), shed where Aisha was first detained, the suspect is regretting
her involvement in the drug peddling deal in Nigeria. Aisha has been arraigned
in court after the conclusion of the investigations on her.
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