NDLEA arrests two with cocaine, diazepam injections

Chukwuemeka Martins

An electronics merchant, Udoji Chike, has been arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, for being in possession of eight kilogrammes of Diazepam injections.

The NDLEA also arrested an alleged drug trafficker for being in possession of 80 wraps of powdery substance suspected to be cocaine at the Port HarcourtInternational Airport, Rivers State.

The discovery in Lagos was said to have been made at the departure hall of the airport while the suspect was about to board an Arik flight to Liberia.

NDLEA’s Head of Public Affairs, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, said the injections were disguised as packs of Alabukun powder, an unregulated drug.

NDLEA Airport commander, Mr. Hamza Umar, said that the suspect would soon be taken to court.

He said, “Officers discovered 8kg of Diazepam injections in a luggage brought by Chike. The luggage was meant for export to Liberia. He has accepted ownership of the drugs.”

Chike, a graduate of the University of Monronvia, said, “I have been living in Liberia with my wife and child since 1997. I have been unable to go back to them since I came to Nigeria for Christmas last year. I was trying toraise money to go back; that was why I agreed to take the drugs.”

In Rivers, the suspect, Emeka Martins, was arrested while trying to board an Air France flight to Italy with 1.560kg of cocaine.

NDLEA Commander, Port Harcourt International Airport Command, Mr. Olutekunbi Davies, said the suspect, who is a native of Nnewi, Anambra State, concealed the substance in his pants.

Davies said, “We have arrested one Mr. Chukwuemeka Martins. He was arrested on  March 16, 2014 at about 8pm while attempting to board Air France to Italy.

“He (Martins) concealed 80 wraps of powdery substance suspected to be cocaine weighing 1.560kg in his pants. The mode of concealment used to be by ingestion and insertion, but has recently changed to packaging and padding.”

The NDLEA commander warned that Martins’ arrest was an indication that those involved in drug traffickingwould always have unpleasant end.

Davies promised that in spite of the ongoing airport remodeling, which had slowed down the agency’s operations, NDLEA officers would continue to be vigilant to ensure that the Port Harcourt International Airport was not turned to a drug hub.

Cautioning Nigerians to shun drug trafficking, Davies pointed out that the suspect would be prosecuted at the end of the agency’s investigation.