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| Pastor of illicit drugs |
A South Africa based evangelist and pastor is being interrogated
over 165kgs of narcotics drugs seized at Apapa Seaport, Lagos. The 92kgs of
methamphetamine and 73kgs of ephedrine were detected inside two containers of
foodstuff meant for export to South Africa.
It was during the examination of the containers marked MSKU
388274-1 and MSKU 424717-0; that the anti-narcotic officials detected 20kg of
Methamphetamine and 50kg of Ephedrine inside the first container and 72Kg of
Methamphetamine and 23Kg of Ephedrine in the second container. The total weight
of the drugs is 165kgs.
The arrest and seizure is a product of intense undercover
operation by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA. The estimated
street value of the drugs is N1.4 billion.
Officers of the agency successfully traced the illicit
consignment to 52 year old man, who claimed to be an evangelist by name John
Vincent Arinze who was arrested in his hotel room in Lagos.
A Mercedes Benz Jeep belonging to him was also impounded at
the time of arrest. The suspect hails from Ara village, Nise in Awka South
Local Government Area of Anambra State. John who had lived in South Africa for
over a decade accepted ownership of the illicit shipment.
The suspect in his statement said that he made a big mistake
by taking over the business of his late wife. "I am an evangelist living
in Durban South Africa. My late wife was into drug trafficking before she died
few years ago. I made a mistake venturing into her business. It is my entire
fault", he stated.
Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA; Col. Muhammad
Mustapha Abdallah (retd.) said that the seizure has significant influence on
the campaign against narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. In his words,
"this is a product of careful planning and meticulous tracking of narcotic
drugs movement. The consignments were closely monitored by our undercover
agents and intercepted at Apapa Seaport, Lagos following the detection of
narcotics by NDLEA sniffer dogs during screening operation. This will
definitely have a positive influence on Nigeria's drug control efforts".
The NDLEA boss added that the Agency will remain meticulous
in detecting drugs and prosecuting offenders. "I am very happy with the
success recorded in this operation. The Agency will remain painstaking and
professional in the fight against illicit drug production, trafficking and
abuse. We hope to unmask the drug syndicate behind this shipment and make more
arrests soon" Abdallah promised.
The drugs were hidden inside packs of melon concealed in
foodstuff and cosmetics such as Gari (cassava flakes), noodles, Knorr and Maggi
food seasoning, yam powder, Malt drinks, pepper, Milk, Herbal Hair Cream and
Golden Morn cereals. Other items in the container are Damatol Hair Cream, bags
of Melon, Kegs of palm oil, Beans, Biscuits, Sardine and Cartons of Orijin
bitters. He will soon be charged to court.
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