30th July, 2011
Officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, Southwest Nigeria, have arrested two Nigerians with hard drugs.
The suspects, Onovo Sylvester Henry, 26, an auto parts dealer at Ladipo auto parts market Lagos and Ufiri Onyedika Emmanuel, 36, were caught attempting to smuggle 2.575kg of methamphetamine to Malaysia where drug offences attract capital punishment.
The latest arrests were made just as narcotic officers at the Lagos airport discovered 1.150kg of heroin concealed inside 32 inches plasma television imported from Malaysia.
Nnamdi John Kingsley, 31, was nabbed while taking delivery of the television set containing heroin at the Nigeria Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) Shed section of the airport.
Onovo Sylvester Henry, 26, an auto parts dealer ingested 67 wraps of methamphetamine weighing 1.275kg while Ufiri Onyedika Emmanuel a trader at Trade Fair Complex, Lagos ingested 77 wraps of methamphetamine weighing 1.300kg.
Reacting to the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade reiterated his resolve to reduce drug trafficking in the country through diligent investigation, arrest, seizure of drugs and prosecution of accused persons.
“We shall continue to arrest drug traffickers, seize their drugs and prosecute them. The agency will also not relent in anti-drug enlightenment programmes to guide members of the public,†Giade stated.
The anti-drug boss noted that a situation where drug traffickers die prematurely or spend years in prison custody was worrisome.
He added that the consequences of drug trafficking should serve as warning to others who may be contemplating the criminal act.
“Drug trafficking and abuse is a choice. It is amazing that some people deliberately make choices that will destroy their dreams and subject them to pain and reproach. If not for the arrest of the two suspects going to Malaysia, they may have been caught and executed.
“We therefore urge people to make the best of their life by shunning drug trafficking,†the anti-drug boss stressed.
Nnamdi John Kingsley who owns a video club along Port Harcourt road, Aba, said that his business partners in Malaysia sent the 1.150kg of heroin to him because he needed money.
In his words, “I did not know that I will be caught. My business partners sent the drug to me inside the television. They told me to clear the television set and raise money after selling the drugâ€.
He hails from Abia State.
Onovo Sylvester Henry who lives in Lagos said that he swallowed drugs without knowing the implications.
According to the suspect, “this is my first time of trafficking in narcotics. I did not know the implications. I wanted to use the money to buy spare parts from Malaysia. I can say my poor financial situation and Satan made me to carry drugs but I regret everything.
“When I was caught, I knelt down and asked God for forgivenessâ€.
He hails from Nnewi village in Anieri Local Government Area of Enugu State.
Ufiri Onyedika Emmanuel was to board an Emirate flight to Malaysia when he was arrested.
The suspect who sells baby wares at Trade fair Complex Lagos and resides at Igando area of the state with his wife and two children.
Ufiri blamed his woes on customs officers that seized his goods worth N750,000 at Seme border in 2009.
“My problem began in 2009 when customs seized my goods at Seme border. Since then I have been living from hand to mouth. I got involved in drug trafficking to be able to sustain my family,†Ufiri who hails from Anambra State stated.
By Emmanuel Udom