The acting chairman of the NDLEA, Mrs. Roli Bode-George, in a statement announcing the arrest, assured that the agency would continue to check drug cartels, adding that efforts are ongoing to consolidate on operational gains by the agency.
Three suspected members of a drug syndicate has been arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) with 18.2 kilogrammes of drugs valued at N163 million.
The suspects who were arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, included a South African identified as Sipho Mitshali, 31, found in possession of 4kg of ephedrine and 8kg of methamphetamine on his way to Johannesburg.
Two Nigerians, Ifeagwu Osita and Obiabumuo Augustine Ikechukwu, were also arrested for attempting to smuggle 4.7kg and 1.5kg of cocaine.
Hamisu Lawan, the NDLEA commander at the Abuja airport, said that the three suspects were under investigation, saying;
“The South African, Sipho Mitshali, was caught smuggling 4kg of ephedrine and 8kg of methamphetamine to South Africa through Addis Ababa.
Ifeagwu Osita imported 263 pellets of cocaine weighing 4.7kg from Dubai while Obiabumuo Augustine Ikechukwu was apprehended while attempting to export 1.5kg of cocaine to Switzerland through Frankfurt. The cases are being investigated.”
Ifeagwu Osita, one of those arrested, said that he smuggled drugs to save his sick daughters.
“I am a businessman living at Okota, Lagos State. I am married with three children. My daughter had been sick and I have spent so much money on her, yet there is no sign of improvement. This affected my business and forced me into drug trafficking.
I was desperate to save my daughter from pain and death. The drug was given to me at Dubai airport but on getting to Nigeria, I was arrested.”
Obiabumuo Augustine Ikechukwu, who hails from Idemili South LGA of Anambra State, also said that he smuggled drugs for monetary rewards.
“I was selling electrical appliances at Alaba market in Lagos before I travelled to Czech Republic in search of greener pastures. I needed money to settle my debts after my mother’s burial, that was how I got involved in drug trafficking.”