by Oge Okonkwo

Olewunne Chibuzor Darlington, an electronic dealer at Alaba International Market, is currently under investigation after he was arrested by officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for allegedly exporting 450 grammes of methamphetamine to Malaysia.

Darlington confessed that he had invested N900,00 in drug trafficking where he expected to make a profit of N 5 million.

Darlignton was apprehended at the  Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos. His arrest was confirmed by the NDLEA commander at the Lagos airport, Hamza Umar saying that the suspect was found to have ingested narcotics.

Vanguard reports:

In his words: “The scanning machine revealed that the suspect ingested drugs during screening of passengers on an Ethiopian Airline flight. He was on his way to Malaysia but during observation, he excreted 450 grammes of substance that tested positive to methamphetamine.”

In his confessional statement, the suspect said he wanted to purchase electronics with the drug’s proceeds.

“They told me that I can make N5 million profit if I investN900,000. It was a trial business for me because it is my first time. I also did it because of my financial predicament. I am from a poor family and the eldest,” he said, appealing for mercy.

Chairman/Chief Executive of the agency, Ahmadu Giade, while commenting on the arrest, called for stiffer punishment for drug traffickers.

He said: “No doubt, stiffer punishment will help in reducing cases of drug production and trafficking. We shall prevent drug traffickers from using the country as a transit point for drug trafficking. It is sad that a businessman will prefer to invest in criminality when there are countless legitimate businesses.”

The NDLEA boss, however, expressed delight that the suspect was caught in Nigeria, saying: “I am glad that we arrested him here because of the capital punishment for drug trafficking in Malaysia. His arrest abroad would have added to the number of Nigerian drug convicts in foreign prisons. We have equally prevented Nigeria’s image from disrepute.”