NDLEA DETECTS DRUG SYNDICATE, ARRESTS TWO OVER 4.660KG OF METHAMPHETAMINE

Emmanuel

Kolawole

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has discovered a drug syndicate that operates under the cover of a travel Agency. This followed the arrest of two suspected members of the criminal gang at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos. The duo was found in possession of 4.660kg of substances suspected to be methamphetamine at the airport car park.

NDLEA Commander at the Lagos Airport, Hamza Umar gave the names of the suspect as Gwacham Emmanuel Orakwe, 25, and Alhaji Ayila Kolawole, 47. “Gwacham Emmanuel Orakwe’s role was to smuggle the drug to India while Alhaji Ayila Kolawole was the one coordinating his movement. Both of them were apprehended at the car park with 4.660kg of methamphetamine. The drug was packed in five parcels in the bag of Gwacham who had a valid Emirate ticket to India” Hamza stated.

Preliminary investigation revealed that Ayila contracted Gwacham Emmanuel Orakwe to traffic drugs to India for a fee. He also bought return ticket and promised to facilitate the safe departure of Gwacham thus making him the brain behind the attempted illicit exportation of 4.660kg of methamphetamine to Mumbai, India.

The suspects have volunteered their statements to narcotic investigators. According to Gwacham Emmanuel Orakwe, he is smuggling drugs to make ends meet. “I attended De Apex Creative Minds Academy Ogbunike, Anambra State where I had my O levels in 2005. I travelled to Libya in search of greener pastures but came back with multiplied pains. At present I do casual jobs to feed myself. That was the reason I accepted to smuggle the drugs for two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500)” Gwacham stated. He hails from Anambra State.

Alhaji Ayila Kolawole in his statement said that he sponsored Gwacham Emmanuel Orakwe on the aborted drug trafficking trip. In his words, “I bought the return ticket for Gwacham Emmanuel Orakwe and promised to assist him travel with the drug without being arrested”. He is married with three children and hails from Osun State.

Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade said that the Agency will continue to unmask members of drug syndicates. “Whatever trick drug barons apply, we shall expose them. This arrest is important for the Agency because we have moved beyond the courier to the mastermind of the illicit exportation. Investigation is on-going and more arrests shall be made” Giade stated.

The suspects will soon be charged to court.