A 47-year-old man, Odili James Onyekwerewho was arrested by officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos for testing positive to cocaine said he was promised a thousand dollars to export the drug.
According to the Head of Public Affairs of NDLEA, Ofoyeju Michell, Odili was arrested during the outward screening of passengers on a Kenyan Airways flight to Ivato International Airport Antananarivo, Madagascar, adding that the suspect excreted twenty-five wraps of cocaine weighing 270 grammes.
Commenting on the arrest Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah said, “As our country marks political independence, we strategise on the way forward. I call on youths to support the anti-narcotics campaign and make giant strides towards nation building. The Agency will continue to disappoint those hoping to get rich quick from drug trafficking through the use of latest technology in drug control. We are constantly increasing our capacity to detect concealed drugs and trace criminal wealth of drug cartels. Available record clearly shows that Madagascar is not a regular drug route yet we were able to detect the drug. Appropriate measures have also been taken to diligently prosecute suspected traffickers.”
Ahmadu Garba, NDLEA commander at the Lagos airport, said Odili’s arrest is the first seizure heading to Madagascar.
“This is the first arrest and seizure in the year heading to Madagascar from this airport. The suspect, Odili James Onyekwere successfully excreted twenty-five (25) wraps of cocaine which he ingested while under close observation. He is cooperating with our team of investigators and the case will soon be charged to court.”
The suspect said he became a drug trafficker due to the economic hardship in the country.
“I am married with two children and I sell shoes in Lome, Togo. As a result of the economic downturn my capital kept depreciating until I lost everything. This is my first time of smuggling drugs. It was the frustration of not being able to provide for my wife and two children that made me to smuggle cocaine. They promised to pay me a thousand dollars.”
Dolapo is a writer and journalist who works with YNaija. He has interests in Christianity, politics and sports.
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