The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency
(NDLEA) said it has commenced investigation on a Tanzanian and four
Nigerians allegedly involved in trafficking substances suspected to be
ephedrine and cocaine weighing 30.673kg.
The Tanzanian was said to have been
nabbed while attempting to smuggle 25kg of ephedrine to South Africa on a
Kenya Airline flight while the other four suspects were apprehended
with 5.673kg of cocaine during an inward screening of passengers on an
Emirates Airline flight at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport,
Abuja.
The NDLEA Airport commander, Hamisu
Lawan gave the names of the suspects as Sekwoa Morris Mackindoshi,
caught with 25kg of ephedrine, Eneh Chinedu Innocent, found with 1.534kg
of cocaine, Nzube-chukwu Amaizu John, ingested 1.349kg of cocaine,
Okafor Onyeka Obiajulu, found in possession of 1.642kg of cocaine and
Udechukwu Pascal Onyeka who was arrested with 1.148kg of cocaine.
He said, “The Tanzanian was caught with
25kg of substance suspected to be Ephedrine packed in thirteen sachets
in a travel bag. He was arrested during an outward security checks while
intending to board Kenya Airline flight through Nairobi to
Johannesburg.”
The other four suspects were nabbed with
5.673kg of cocaine from Sao-Paulo, Brazil. Total weight of seized drugs
is 30.673kg. Apart from the Tanzanian that hid 25kg of ephedrine in his
luggage, other suspects ingested various quantities of cocaine found on
them” Hamisu stated.
The Tanzanian, Sekwoa Morris Mackindoshi in his statement said that he came for a musical concert in Nigeria.
The Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade said that the Tanzanian will be charged under the NDLEA Act.
“The Tanzanian arrested in connection
with drug trafficking will be charged in line with the provisions of the
NDLEA Act. NDLEA has respect for the rule of law and like other
suspects, the Tanzanian is entitled to an attorney as well as all rights
and privileges due to him under the law,” he stated.
