NDLEA nabs a Cannabis smuggler

Officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have apprehended a technician for allegedly possessing 665g of cannabis. The arrest took place at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) during the outward screening of passengers on an Etihad flight to Dubai. Dried weeds which tested positive for cannabis concealed in foodstuff were found inside the suspect’s luggage.




NDLEA Commander at the Lagos Airport, Hamza Umar disclosed that the case was under investigation. According to Hamza, “officers at the departure hall found two parcels of dried weeds which tested positive for cannabis inside the luggage of one Friday Ufot Tom, a passenger travelling to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The drug weighed 665g and the incident is currently under investigation”.

The 31-year-old technician who services and installs electrical appliances told investigators that he was given the drug by a man who assisted him with his travel documents. “I am a technician by profession. I suffered financial hardship and could not settle my bills. After so many fruitless struggles to make ends meet, I decided to travel to Dubai in search of employment. The man who assisted me with my travel documents gave me a bag at the airport. He told me that his friend will collect the bag from me in Dubai. According to his plan, the man will accommodate me and also help me to secure a good job. He told me the bag contain garri, stock fish, beans, dried bitter-leaf vegetables and dried fish. However, while trying to check-in the bag, NDLEA officers discovered the cannabis. I am not happy because my condition has gone from bad to worse” Friday Ufot lamented. He hails from Akwa-Ibom State.

The Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA Ahmadu Giade in his response alerted members of the public to the plan by drug barons to lure victims into drug trafficking under the guise of providing job opportunities abroad. “Drug barons hide under the guise of providing job opportunities abroad to make them drug couriers. The Agency has taken steps to apprehend more drug traffickers and prosecute them. Security checks at all entry and exit points have equally been fortified and anyone who dares to smuggle drugs will only end up in prison custody” Giade stated.

The suspect will soon be charged to court.

Ofoyeju Mitchell
Head, Public Affairs NDLEA