The National Drug Law
Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) is currently interrogating one of its operatives over
alleged conspiracy to import cocaine from Brazil. The investigation which
commenced after an abandoned luggage from Brazil was found to contain 2.24kg of
cocaine at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos had already
led to the arrest of five suspects. Those being interrogated include Ali Bala
Adamu, a staff of the NDLEA, Ijeoma Ojukwu, a niece to late Nigerian
Politician, Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu and three others Victor Umeh,
Uche Igwelo and Egbuche Fidelis Osiita.
Reacting to the arrest, the
acting Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Mrs. Roli Bode-George said that
the Agency will prosecute whoever is found guilty. “The NDLEA is following
every lead professionally and will exploit more opportunities towards getting
every culprit arrested. We have also expanded the scope of our investigation
and everyone involved in this illegal importation of narcotics shall be
diligently prosecuted. The Agency will continue to uphold the rule of law and
dislodge drug trafficking organisations in the country” Roli stated.
The NDLEA boss added that
the Agency will maintain its culture of integrity stressing that if the officer
being interrogated is found culpable, the law will run its full course. According
to Roli, “NDLEA will not compromise its high standard of operation. We are
working very hard with international and local collaborators in projecting the
image of Nigeria in drug control programmes. Any attempt by any person or group
of persons to sabotage this great achievement shall be resisted. Probity and
strict law enforcement shall be sustained”.
NDLEA commander at the
Lagos airport, Mr. Ahmadu Garba said that the cocaine seizure is the first in
the New Year. “This is the first drug seizure for the year. On December 28,
2015, a bag with a tag bearing Agina Fidelis Ejike was abandoned at the arrival
hall during inward screening of passengers on an Emirates flight. On January 1,
2016, one Egbuche Fidelis Osita came with authority letter mandating him to collect
the bag. In the process, some white powdery substance weighing 2.24kg that
tested positive for cocaine was discovered. The drug was neatly packed in four
parcels concealed in false bottom of four female handbags. Further
investigation led to more arrests” Garba stated.
Preliminary investigation
by the NDLEA revealed that Ijeoma Ojukwu, 48, who owns a restaurant in Brazil,
is a suspected member of an international drug trafficking organization. She
allegedly conspired with other suspects to collect the abandoned bag from the
airport with the intent to recover the 2.24kg of cocaine. She was said to have
contacted a staff of the NDLEA, Ali Bala on how to facilitate the collection of
the bag at the airport. The Agency also impounded the Acura MDX vehicle that
the suspects drove to the airport.
“I have a restaurant in Brazil
where I sell African food. I am from Anambra State and I am married with three
children. My brother came from Brazil and could not find his bag. It was in the
process of trying to get the bag out that we were arrested” Ijeoma stated.
Thirty-six year old Uche
Igwelo, a graduate of Public Administration, said that she was invited by
Ijeoma to assist in collecting the bag. “I sell kitchen utensil and I am
married with a child. Ijeoma met me that I should help him to collect a bag at
the airport. We were trying to get the bag when NDLEA officers arrested us” Uche
who hails from Anambra told investigators.
Egbuche Fidelis Osita, a 37-year-old
student said that he was asked to collect the bag. “I am a 400 level student
studying English Education at the Ekiti State University. My friend Victor Umeh
was the person that asked me to help in claiming a luggage at the airport. We
all drove to the airport where I was given a letter of authority and other
documents of the passenger that came with the luggage. In the process of trying
to collect the bag I was arrested. This is all I know about this incident” he
stated.
The Agency has commenced investigation
into the case to determine their level of culpability before prosecution.
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