NDLEA ARRESTS SUSPECT GOING TO PARIS, TWO OTHERS

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a forty-six year old man for inserting 225 grammes of cocaine in his anus. He was to board an Air France flight to Paris at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos when he tested positive for narcotics. Two other suspects were also caught with 915 grammes and 1.225kg of cocaine from Brazil on an Emirates flight.

NDLEA commander at the Lagos Airport, Mr. Hamza Umar gave the names of the suspects as Tochukwu Prosper Nzom, Idehen Prince Henry and Ilemena Chinedu Peter. According to Hamza, “Tochukwu Prosper who was going to Paris inserted 225 grammes in his anus. Two other suspects coming from Brazil, Idehen Prince Henry ingested 56 wraps weighing 915 grammes and Ilemena Chinedu Peter concealed 1.225kg of cocaine. The total weight of the drugs seized from the suspects is 2.365kg”.

Tochukwu Prosper Nzom who hails from Anambra State is married with two children. The 46 year-old auto parts dealer said that he would have been paid 1,500 dollars. “I was drinking with friends when I heard them talking about drugs. I actually volunteered to smuggle drugs because of my financial situation. They agreed to pay me 1,500 dollars because it was only three wraps weighing 225 grammes. I am from a poor home” Tochukwu stated.

Ilemena Chinedu Peter also said that he too requested to smuggle drugs because of financial hardship. “I am from Enugu State. I am married to a Brazilian lady and we have a child. I work as a salesboy in a supermarket. I dropped out of school in Junior Secondary class 3. I overheard some of my friends discussing about drugs and I indicated interest. That was how it started. The drug was packed in a bag for me and they promised to pay me 2,500 dollars. I am so sad, disappointed and ashamed of myself” Ilemena stated.

The third suspect who has lived in Brazil for about a decade said that he made a costly mistake. In his words, “I did not know what came over me. I have been a hard working person since my childhood. My wife and three children are in Benin while I struggle in Brazil as the bread winner. My son gained admission into the University and he is very brilliant. I needed to pay for his tuition and other expenses. I would have made 12,000 dollars from the drug deal”.

The Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade said that the suspects are morally bankrupt for requesting to be used as drug traffickers. “It is worrisome for the suspects to voluntarily smuggle drugs. This shows that they are morally bankrupt. The Agency will not relent in the fight against drug trafficking” Giade stated.

Ofoyeju Mitchell

Head, Public Affairs

08034088136