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The acting Chairman of the National
Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mrs. Roli Bode-George has condemned the death
sentence passed on a Nigerian, Ekene Collins Isaac, 37, by a Malaysian High Court.
Ekene was found guilty of smuggling
915.6g of methamphetamine, commonly known as ecstasy or MDMA, into Malaysia
three years ago.
The High Court judge Datuk Wan Afrah
Wan Ibrahim, said the prosecution had proven Isaac’s guilt beyond doubt as she
passed down the death sentence.
Bode-George however promised that
diplomatic efforts shall be explored to save the convict and assured Nigerians
that the Agency will maintain total alertness in drug detection operation all
through the year.
This was even as operatives of NDLEA
discovered drugs in tin packs and arrested a suspected drug trafficker on
Boxing Day at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos with
substances that tested positive for cocaine on his way from Brazil.
Confirming the arrest, NDLEA
spokesman, Mitchel Ofoyeju, said that the drug packed in six wraps, weighed 120
grammes and was inserted into the suspect’s anus. The suspect, Ikeh Maxwell Obumneme
40, was arrested.
The second suspect, Nwakpo Tochukwu ,
wanted to export a consignment containing 1.860kg of methamphetamine sealed in
tin tomato paste to South Africa when he was arrested.
Maxwell said: “I’m married with a
child. I live in Lagos. I sell children diapers and clothes but travelled to
Brazil two months ago expecting to buy my goods at a cheaper price. In the
process, I decided to smuggle 120 grammes of cocaine for monetary gains. I
inserted six wraps of the drugs into my anus, yet it was detected and that was
how I was arrested. This is my first time.”
Tochukwu, 27, an automobile parts
dealer at Ladipo Market, Lagos said that he was only assisting a friend to send
a consignment of foodstuff to South Africa.
His words: “I’m single. I sell motor
parts at Ladipo Market. My friend in South Africa asked me to send a luggage to
him. He called somebody in Lagos who brought the bag to me and I took it to the
airport for shipment. During search, the drug was detected and I was arrested.”
NDLEA commander at the Lagos
airport, Ahmadu Garba said that the suspects targeted the festive period to
smuggle drugs.
In his words: “Intelligence report
received by the Agency indicated that the suspects specifically targeted the
festive season to smuggle their drugs. Obumneme who inserted cocaine in his
anus from Sao Paulo through Dubai on Emirates flight was caught on arrival,
while Tochukwu that hid methamphetamine in tomato paste meant for export to
South Africa on South Africa airways flight was equally arrested.”
Bode-George said: “The Nigerian government will work to
protect every citizen from untimely death resulting from drug trafficking and
drug abuse. We shall remain vigilant at all times and prevent drug trafficking
syndicates from smuggling narcotic drugs in and out of the country. While
respecting the laws of other countries, the Federal Government will explore
diplomatic means to prevent capital punishment on citizens.
“Special arrangement has been made
for officers to sustain intense surveillance all through the festive period and
in the New Year. This covers the land borders, seaports, airports as well as
all villages, towns and cities. The Agency is working very hard to uncover
other members of the cartel.”
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