NDLEA arrests businessman with 2.39kg drugs

NDLEA boss, Ahmadu Giade

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested a Nigerian businessman for attempting to smuggle 2.390kg methamphetamine to South Africa.

The arrest was made at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, during screening of Arik Air passengers to South Africa.

According to a statement sent to SUNDAY PUNCH, on Saturday, the suspect, Raphael Otti, 36, told investigators that he came to Nigeria for prayers of business breakthrough.

“I came to Nigeria for prayers of business breakthrough but was asked to bring a bag to South Africa by my sponsor. I sell phone accessories in South Africa but my business has suffered heavy setbacks.

“This was the reason I came home to seek spiritual solution. Unfortunately, I was caught with drugs on my way to South Africa” Otti said.

NDLEA Commander at the Airport, Hamza Umar, said the drug was detected at the luggage checking desk.

According to Hamza, “the drug was concealed at both sides of the bag. It was a good mode of concealment but not good enough to escape our notice. We have commenced investigation, the suspect will be charged to court for unlawful exportation.”

The suspect, holds a diploma in Business Administration from the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, and hails from Anambra State.

He had lived in Johannesburg for over 11 years.

Speaking of the arrest, the Chairman/Chief Executive of the Agency, Ahmadu Giade, said it has become more difficult for drug traffickers to smuggle drugs out of the country due to improved security checks.

“We shall prevent drug traffickers from using the country as a transit point for drug trafficking. Efforts are ongoing towards making our exit and entry points more impregnable to drug barons” he said.