PRESS RELEASE
Officials
of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have aborted a plot by a Nigerian
based in Johannesburg to smuggle 36.850kg of narcotic drugs to South Africa. The
shipment was intercepted at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA)
Abuja during the outward screening of an Ethiopian Airline flight. The suspected
substances hidden in his luggage were field tested and found to be methamphetamine
weighing 17.700kg and ephedrine weighing 19.150kg with an estimated monetary value
of 120 million naira.
NDLEA
commander at Abuja airport, Mr. Hamisu Lawan said that few days after the
arrest of Ilo Chidera Alex with 15.850kg of cocaine concealed inside make-up
brushes from Sao Paulo enroute Dubai, the command has recorded the seizure of 36.850kg
of methamphetamine and ephedrine.
“Drug
traffickers are always experimenting with new routes all in a bid to evade
arrest by law enforcement officers. By our record at this airport, South Africa
is not a common route for drug traffickers. Mr. Okonkwo Isaac Ekemezie is a
suspected member of a drug trafficking cartel in South Africa where he lives. His
mission was to come to Nigeria to facilitate the exportation of 36.850kg of
narcotic drugs to South Africa. That criminal action was however aborted
because of the vigilance of our officers” Hamisu stated.
The
commander said that the arrest of Okonkwo is similar to that of one Fred Chuka
Obi, 49 years old found with 1.594kg of cocaine on his way to Tel Aviv which is
not a normal route for drug traffickers.
Mr.
Okonkwo Isaac Ekemezie who is 51 year old is currently assisting narcotic
investigators with relevant information to track other members of the criminal
group.
The
NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Ahmadu Giade has reiterated his determination
to dismantle drug trafficking cartels in the country. “In line with the NDLEA
Act, we shall adopt
measures such as coordinated preventive and repressive action against drug
trafficking cartels. The NDLEA shall introduce investigative and
control techniques aimed at preventing drugs from coming in or going out of the
country at all entry and exit points” Giade stated.
The
suspect will soon be charged to court.
Ofoyeju
Mitchell
Head,
Public Affairs
08034088136
No comments:
Post a Comment