Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have
recovered 19.8 kilogrammes of dried weeds, said to be cannabis sativa, from two
friends; 30-year-old Sandra Ebere and Maureen Obidike, 33.
recovered 19.8 kilogrammes of dried weeds, said to be cannabis sativa, from two
friends; 30-year-old Sandra Ebere and Maureen Obidike, 33.
Punch Metro gathered that the suspects were arrested at the
Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos State during the screening of
passengers on an Etihad flight en route to Dubai, United Arab Emirate.
Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos State during the screening of
passengers on an Etihad flight en route to Dubai, United Arab Emirate.
It was learnt that the drug was packaged into about 80
parcels and concealed inside foodstuffs and bottles.
parcels and concealed inside foodstuffs and bottles.
Our correspondent gathered that Ebere, who studied
Economics, told investigators that her travel agent in Dubai directed her to
smuggle the drug as a prerequisite for a free visa.
Economics, told investigators that her travel agent in Dubai directed her to
smuggle the drug as a prerequisite for a free visa.
She said, “I used to export foodstuffs to Dubai since 2012.
Each time I go to Dubai, I stay for two months and come back because I have no
permanent visa. I came to Nigeria since December 2014 to spend the Christmas
and New Year holidays at home. While I was preparing to go back, my travel
agent in Dubai called me that somebody will give me a parcel to bring to him.
He promised me that if I could bring it to him he will prepare my next visa for
free. That was how I agreed to take it.”
Each time I go to Dubai, I stay for two months and come back because I have no
permanent visa. I came to Nigeria since December 2014 to spend the Christmas
and New Year holidays at home. While I was preparing to go back, my travel
agent in Dubai called me that somebody will give me a parcel to bring to him.
He promised me that if I could bring it to him he will prepare my next visa for
free. That was how I agreed to take it.”
Obidike, in her statement, described her arrest as the
backlash of keeping a deceitful friend.
backlash of keeping a deceitful friend.
“My friend did not tell me that she had drugs in the luggage
before she checked in in my name. She told me that it was foodstuffs, but it
turned out to be cannabis. I feel very sad,” she said.
before she checked in in my name. She told me that it was foodstuffs, but it
turned out to be cannabis. I feel very sad,” she said.
The NDLEA Commander at the Lagos Airport, Mr. Umar Hamza,
said the case was under investigation.
said the case was under investigation.
He said, “We found 78 parcels of dried weeds that tested
positive for cannabis sativa weighing 19.8kg inside foodstuffs and bottles of
local alcoholic beverage. The case is under investigation and the suspects are
assisting our team of investigators.”
positive for cannabis sativa weighing 19.8kg inside foodstuffs and bottles of
local alcoholic beverage. The case is under investigation and the suspects are
assisting our team of investigators.”
The agency’s Chairman, Mr. Ahmadu Giade, called on
travellers to be sure of the content of their luggage before travelling.
travellers to be sure of the content of their luggage before travelling.
“Members of the public must take necessary preventive
measures to ensure that they have no drugs in their luggage. They must also not
collect luggage from people when travelling. This is very important because
such luggage may contain drugs,” Giade said.
measures to ensure that they have no drugs in their luggage. They must also not
collect luggage from people when travelling. This is very important because
such luggage may contain drugs,” Giade said.
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