Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Ndlea uncovers drug trafficking tricks at Seme border


The Seme Border Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has uncovered tricks adopted by drug traffickers in carrying out their nefarious activities. This is just as it apprehended 19 suspects with 174.78 kg of narcotics between January and March 2011. The Command, in the course of monitoring the Nigeria-Benin border at Seme, discovered illicit drugs hidden inside vehicle spare tyres, a pair of shoes and a jacket worn by a suspected drug trafficker. Five of the suspects were females while fourteen are males. Cannabis also known as marijuana, accounts for the bulk of the seized drugs with a total weight of 170.36kg; methamphetamine is next with 3.5kg while heroin is 92 grammes.
NDLEA Commander at Seme Border, Mr. Nicholas Ajaduronye disclosed that the command will continue to recover hidden drugs by traffickers notwithstanding their ingenuity. “Most of those arrested were amazed at how we were able to detect the drugs. Some people even think we use charms but our humble results could only be linked to the quality training we have. We hope to nip further plans in the bud” the commander stated.
The Chairman of the Agency, Ahmadu Giade expressed satisfaction with the spectacular seizures made by the Seme Border Command. In his words, “the arresting officers have done a great job and we are proud of them. I commend them for the good work they have done and I also charge them not to relent in their efforts. We must continue to prove our superiority over drug trafficking cartels”.
Three suspected drug traffickers with fascinating modes of drug concealment arrested by the Seme Command includes; Otukwu Ugochukwu Chinedu, 37, an auto parts dealer at Ladipo, Lagos that concealed 3.5kg of methamphetamine in his jacket, Samuel Emuobowan, 52, a driver that hid 8.8kg of cannabis inside the spare tyre of his vehicle and Nwafor Chima that concealed 92 grammes of heroin inside sandals.
Otukwu Ugochukwu Chinedu that sells auto parts at Ladipo market for over two years was arrested at Seme Border on his way to Ghana. The 3.5kg of methamphetamine was packed in the tailor-fitted jacket he wore at the time of arrest. The suspect was trekking through the control post when NDLEA officers stopped him for routine check. During a frisk on him, the drug which was hidden inside his jacket was detected. The suspect claimed it was his first time of trafficking in narcotics. “This is my first time of smuggling drugs. I was to deliver the drugs in Ghana for 12,000 dollars” he stated. He hails from Enugu-Ukwu in Anambra State. He attended Saint Francis Primary School Enugu-Ukwu. After graduation, he proceeded to Boys Secondary School also at Enugu-Ukwu but dropped out in class two. He lives at Okeafa Street, Ago Palace Way, Okota Lagos.
At Gbaji checking point along Lagos Badagry expressway, NDLEA officers stopped a BMW 5 series car for search. In the process of conducting search, 8.8kg of cannabis was discovered inside the spare tyre of his car. The suspect, Samuel Emuobowan, during interrogation said he was paid the sum of N35,000 to bring the drug from Ghana. “I am a commercial driver. A man came to me in Ghana and asked me to convey the drugs to Nigeria. He was the one that suggested that the drugs be hidden inside the spare tyre and that he was going to pay me the sum of N35,000. I thought it was a fast business. Unfortunately, the drug was detected by NDLEA officers at Gbaji checking point” he stated. Samuel is married with eight children. The 52 year- old suspect who hails from Delta State resides at Ojo, Lagos.
Another suspect, Nwafor Chima, 29, was crossing the Nigeria-Benin border on a motorcycle when he was invited for search. During the search, 92 grammes of heroin was discovered in the soles of his sandals. Nwafor hails from Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State. The suspect who claimed to be studying mechanical engineering at Dakar also said that this was his first time of dealing in narcotics.

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