The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), recorded a lot of amazing arrests in the year 2013. Below are some of these achievements. 10. Drug barons failed to export first liquid meth In September, 2, 2013, NDLEA revealed how it prevented the illegal shipment of liquid methamphetamine to South Africa. The methamphetamine weighed seven kilogrammes and was disguised as vegetable oil.
Anti-narcotic officials made the discovery at the cargo section of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos during routine check. A clearing and forwarding agent who brought the consignment for shipment through a South African Airline flight was arrested. The suspect, Ugochukwu Okoroji, accepted ownership of the drug.
9. Burundian woman nabbed with heroin The arrival of two detectives from Switzerland Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP), on a drug control cooperation mission coincided with the arrest of a 38-year-old Uwimana Aisha, a Burundian woman.
She was found with substances suspected to be heroin. The suspect who boarded Rwand Air from Burundi was apprehended by officials of the NDLEA at MMIA, Lagos. Her arrest followed the detection of 2.390kg of heroin in her possession. NDLEA Airport Commander, Mr. Hamzar Umar said that the suspect concealed the drug in her hand luggage, adding: “She had in her hand luggage two parcels of powdery substance that tested positive for heroin, weighing 2.390kg.” Aisha later insisted that the bag containing the illegal substance was given to her by her lover. “My Nigerian boyfriend gave me the bag he brought from Tanzania. He promised to marry me and take care of my only daughter.
We were to come to Nigeria together but he later said that he will join me the following day. I trusted him because he was nice to me.” 8. Nursing mother arrested A 34-year-old nursing mother, Mrs. Mbonu Chizoba, was arrested in connection with the unlawful exportation of 6kg of cannabis to China. Officials detected the drug during routine inspection of cargoes at the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) Shed, MMIA, Lagos. The compressed dried weeds that tested positive for cannabis was hidden in a luggage meant for export on an Ethiopian airline flight. Chizoba said: “I am a licensed clearing and forwarding agent with five years working experience.
I was given the bag by a client to send to China. In the process of search, the drug was found inside the bag. I was told that the bag contained sample goods, unfortunately drug was hidden inside.” 7. Cocaine hidden in flasks, kitchen utensils discovered A Lagos State based businessman, Asogwa Solomon Ochiabuto, 39, was arrested was from smuggling 7.45kg of cocaine hidden in flasks and kitchen utensils into the country. The arrest was made at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA).
The discovery was made during the inward screening of passengers onboard an Ethiopian Airline flight from Brazil. The drug which was industrially concealed inside food flasks and kitchen utensils tested positive for cocaine and weighed 7.45kg. It is estimated to cost N82m. It is the single largest seizure recorded at the Abuja airport since January 2013. 6. Cocaine found in hand bags, folders The Agency intercepted female hand bags and folders containing 3.860kg of cocaine.
The outward appearance of the bags does not indicate any presence of narcotics. It was factory packed as the drugs were found after the bags and folders were cut open. Osunwa Chukwujekwu,28, who brought the bag from Brazil was arrested. The discovery was made during inward screening of Emirate passengers from Brazil at MMIA, Lagos. Osunwa who sells female hand bags and shoes at Bakasi Market, Aba said that he agreed to smuggle the drug because he needed money to enlarge his business. 5. Cape Verdean held over cocaine importation A Cape Verdean was quizzed in connection with the unlawful importation of 2kg of cocaine hidden in female handbags.
The drug was detected during the inward screening of Emirate passengers at the arrival hall of the MMIA, Lagos. Rosangela Gomes Gonealves Correia, 35, Cape Verdean and Olua Uguru Christopher, 36, a Nigerian, attempted to explain their roles in the illicit import. Olua said that he sold shoes and shirts, while the Cape Verdean claimed to have a restaurant in her country.
According to Olua, “I was enticed by the financial incentives. France is a very difficult place to live now because of unemployment problem. If I had succeeded in bringing the drug into the country, I would have invested my share of the profit in business.” 4. Undergraduate arrested for cannabis, heroin possession Mr. Chukwu Ramseyn Onyekaozuru, 27, a Philosophy student of Ebonyi State University, attempted to smuggle 5.300kg of cannabis and 660 gramnmes of heroin to Rome, Italy.
The drugs were detected during the outward screening of Alitalia passengers at MMIA, Lagos. The parcels of cannabis were covered with dried bitter leaf vegetables inside a bag, while the heroin was ingested by the suspect.
The suspect claimed: “I was broke and needed money to buy my ticket to Italy and settle other family expenses. In the process of looking for money, I was introduced to the drug baron who bought me air ticket and gave me 1000 Euros. I accepted the money because I was practically stranded after my exams.” 3.
Alumni Ambassador nabbed A 30-year-old Marketer and Career Counselor, Arinze Ifeanyi John, was found in possession of 2.120kg of methamphetamine during the outward screening of passengers on a Virgin Atlantic flight to London. Arinze who claimed to be an Alumni Ambassador of Bolton University, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at Madona University, Okija Anambra State.
He also has a master’s degree in International Business at Bolton University, United Kingdom in 2011. He has lived in Bolton for the past.three years. NDLEA Airport commander, Hamza had said: “The drug which was detected inside Arinze’s luggage was carefully hidden. Officers had to cut open the sides of the bag to recover the parcels of drugs. He claimed to have an interview in London.”
The suspect confessed that he was given the bag by a friend who bought his return ticket. The suspect said: “My friend who assisted me in buying my ticket gave me the bag to use for my trip. It was inside the bag that the parcels of drug were found.” 2. Cocaine hidden in woman’s hair A 53-year-old grandmother was apprehended at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja. She was arrested following the discovery and seizure of 1.00kg of white powdery substance that tested positive for cocaine, hidden inside her hair.
The suspect, Giwa Ayoka Sikirat concealed the drug in her beautiful hair style while trying to board an Ethiopian airline Flight ET 910 to Pakistan en-route Addis Ababa and Dubai. NDLEA Abuja Airport commander, Mr. Hamisu Lawan said that the suspect was arrested during routine check. “There was no prior information on Sikirat as the drug was detected when a female officer carried out a body frisk on her during outward screening of passengers.
She was smuggling the drug to Pakistan. We also arrested her accomplice, Joseph Umunna, 59, who brought Sikirat to the airport,” Lawan stated. Investigation revealed that Umunna was to take her to the airport and ensure that she boarded the flight. The drug was concealed in her hair in Lagos before she was taken to Abuja by her sponsors.
Sikirat said that life as a single mother had not been easy. She added: “I have problem with my house rent and school fees of my children. I used to buy goods from Dubai and Pakistan but since my shop at Nnamdi Azikiwe, Lagos Island was demolished, it has been struggles. My husband also abandoned me and the children, which made life very difficult. When they approached me to take the drug, I had no option. I was taken to a hotel in Lagos where a hair stylist was brought to fix the drugs. It was properly fixed and they promised to pay me 4,000 dollars.” 1. Another methamphetamine factory uncovered Operatives discovered another methamphetamine Clandestine Laboratory at Shapeti, off Lekki-Epe Expressway Lagos.
Methamphetamine is a powerful addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system. The current laboratory which is the sixth of such illegal methamphetamine production factories uncovered in the last two years is located opposite two private nursery schools. This development according to the Agency, was highly injurious to public health and safety. The schools are Rock of Ages Crèche Nursery and Primary School and Regal Gems International School. The building used for the illegal production was sealed by NDLEA.
Methamphetamine weighing 31.7kg was recovered from the laboratory. A Nissan Xterra Jeep belonging to suspected mastermind of the laboratory was impounded along with other documentary and material evidences. A 38-year-old man with dual nationality of Nigeria and South Africa by name Michael Anum was arrested in connection with the laboratory.
NDLEA Lagos State commander, Aliyu Sule who supervised the operation disclosed that the command acted on intelligence reports. According to Aliyu: “We acted on intelligence report on the illicit activities taking place at the laboratory. When we raided the premises, we observed that methamphetamine production was in progress. A total of 31.7kg of methamphetamine was seized at the laboratory.” Five laboratories were discovered in Lagos while one was detected in Nanka, Anambra State.
Methamphetamine is a whitish, odourless, bittertasting crystalline powder. It is often called meth, chalk, ice and crystal. Abuse of meth can increase the risk of contracting or transmitting HIV and hepatitis B and C. This is usually through sharing of contaminated syringes, needles, and other paraphernalia. Intoxicating effects of methamphetamine alters judgment and inhibition resulting to unprotected sex and accidents. Toxins from meth production can remain in the environment around a production area long after it had been shut down.
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