Three South Africa-based
Nigerians, among them a mother of seven, have been arrested by operatives of
National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, with drugs suspected to be
methamphetamine, with an estimated street value at N374 million.
Also arrested was a 44-year-old
Asaba-based music producer, whose alleged attempt to smuggle 4.95kg of
substance suspected to be cocaine into the country was foiled. The suspects, who were arrested at
Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos, allegedly concealed the
substance in security lamps, silicon sealants and foodstuff.
The NDLEA airport Commander, Mr.
Hamza Umar, said: “Those apprehended are Chukwuenyem, 48 years old, with
21.695kg of methamphetamine hidden inside his bag; Kelvin, 37, caught with
9.980kg of methamphetamine hidden inside solar security lamps; Deborah, 40,
found with 5kg of methamphetamine hidden inside foodstuff and Michael, 44, with
4.95kg of cocaine hidden inside silicon sealants.
“Apart from Michael, who was
coming from Sao Paulo, Brazil, with 4.95kg of cocaine, the other three suspects
were trying to smuggle methamphetamine to South Africa where they reside.”
Suspects’ stories
During interrogation, Chukwuenyem,
a father of three, said he was lured into drug trafficking on his birthday.
According to him, “I struggled to
feed my family by selling foodstuff. At present, my capital is so small that
the business is near moribund. A friend met me on my birthday and introduced me
into drug trafficking.
“He promised to pay me 15,000
South African Rand. My children are out of school because of my inability to
pay tuition fee. This is my first time of dealing in drugs and I regret
everything. I pray to be out of this problem.”
On his part, 37-year-old Kelvin,
also blamed his indulgence on his poor living condition back in South Africa.
He said: “I reside in South Africa
where I import and export phones and clothes. I have five children from three
women. My business is grounded and I now live from hand to mouth.
“A friend in South Africa gave me
the solar lamp where the drug was found. He used to assist me financially and
he also promised to pay my children’s school fees.”
Deborah, the mother of seven, said
she was given the drugs by a man she sought financial assistance from.
According to her, “I have seven
children and I take care of them from the sales of foodstuff. I came to Nigeria
to buy foodstuff such as melon, vegetables and other local spices.
“There is a man in South Africa
that I went to request for financial assistance to enable me expand my
business. He told me that somebody would give me some food items for him.
“When I got to the airport, NDLEA
officers detected methamphetamine in the package given to me by the man. This
was how I found myself in this situation.”
Michael, who was on his way from
Brazil also claimed he was given a bag in Brazil without the slightest inkling
of its content.
He said: “I am a music producer. I
travelled to Brazil to promote my music label and to partner other producers. I
had a successful deal but on my way back, I accepted a bag from a friend I met
in Sao Paulo to take to Nigeria.
“When I got here, NDLEA demanded
to search and 29 out of the 34 sealants were found to contain cocaine. This is
a major setback for my career and I feel very bad.”
No comments:
Post a Comment