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| NDLEA CHAIRMAN,Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah |
Operatives of the National
Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Muhammed International
Airport (MMIA) Lagos have arrested an exporter and three clearing agents in
connection with unlawful exportation of illicit drugs out of the country. The seized
drugs weighing 54.76kg include 24.7kg of methamphetamine disguised as artificial
hair, 2.810kg of cocaine concealed in foodstuff and 27.250kg of diazepam. The seized
drugs have a street value of two hundred and twenty-two million naira.
Chairman/Chief
Executive of the NDLEA Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah in his reaction to the harvest
of arrests said that the Agency has recorded impressive success in prosecuting
drug traffickers. “Anyone whose action contravenes the NDLEA Act shall not
escape justice. Many traffickers have been successfully convicted at the law
courts by the Agency. Clearing agents are liable under the law when narcotic
drugs are traced to their shipments. They therefore have a responsibility to
know their customers and produce them on request. It is pertinent for them to
take necessary measures in preventing their consignment from being used in smuggling
narcotic drugs. Investigations into the cases have commenced and more arrests
are in the offing” Abdallah assured.
NDLEA Airport
commander, Ahmed Garba said that the command is working to improve
productivity. “Preliminary investigation has shown that two of the clearing agents,
Akpan Jacob and Nwaeyizia Chibuzor Sylvester conspired to export 24.7kg of
methamphetamine. Another agent, Ndafia Mike had 50 packs each of diazepam
tablets and injections while an exporter, Orji Sunday Otuu was found in
possession of 2.810kg of cocaine. We are leaving no stone unturned in improving
the operational activities of the command” Garba stated.
Akpan Jacob who is
married with five children said that he agreed to take the job because of
financial difficulties. “I am from Akwa Ibom State and I work as a clearing
agent. I was given this job by another clearing agent, Sylvester. Ordinarily, I
would not have accepted the job but I had no choice because of my family problems”
he stated.
On his part, Sylvester
told officials that Akpan was the one that mounted pressure on him to do the
job. In his words, “I was never interested
in this job but the pressure from Akpan was too much so I gave him the job. I also
gave him one hundred thousand naira (₦100,000) before my arrest”. He hails from Delta State.
Odofia Mike in his
statement said that he was called to pick up the bag and send it to Guinea
Conakry. “A customer called me to collect a bag at the motor park. I collected
it and went to the airport but during examination, some injections and tablets
of diazepam were found inside the bag. This was how I was arrested. I have no
idea that there are injections there” Odofia stated.
Orji Sunday Otuu who
exports foodstuff to India was found to have hidden 2.810kg of cocaine inside
foodstuff. “I used to export African foodstuff
and spices to India. This time around, I was tempted to hide cocaine inside the
foodstuff. I had wanted to make about ten million naira profit but things did
not go according to my plan” Orji lamented.
The suspects will soon
be charged to court.
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