by ifeanyi okolie

Three importers, Michael Izuchukwu Ikegbuno, 41, Igwilo John Chinedu, 30 and Orazuluba Blessed 38, are currently telling operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the motive behind, their alleged involvement in drug trafficking.

The suspects were apprehended recently at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, when anti-narcotics officers intercepted narcotics weighing over 17.065kilogrammes.

Crime Alert gathered that the importers were among eight male suspects arrested at the Lagos Airport in the month of January in connection with offences relating to unlawful importation and exportation of illicit drugs at the airport.

Micheal Izuchukwu,Igwilo john,Henry Nwaulu,Orazuluba Blessed

Sources disclosed that the three importers had 5.340kg of cocaine, 8.400kg of heroin and 3.325kg of methamphetamine in their possession when they were arrested. Meanwhile, Michael’s final destination was said to be Japan, while Igwilo was going to Greece and Orazuluba was coming from Brazil.

“ Michael, an importer of motor parts lives in Japan with his wife and 3 children. He tested positive to drug ingestion during the outward screening of passengers on Qatar Airways flight. He ingested 80 pellets of substances that tested positive for methamphetamine weighing 840grammes.”

While speaking to Crime Alert, Michael who hails from Nnewi, Anambra State claimed to be in financial difficulty and needed money to settle his problems. “I agreed to carry drugs to settle my financial problems. It hurts being stranded and I became desperate. I regret everything now.” Michael stated.

Igwilo John Chinedu who is also an importer of motor parts from Europe ingested 55 pellets of substances that tested positive for cocaine weighing 1.175kg. According to Igwilo who lives in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the desire to increase his capital base made him to go into drug trafficking. He was to board an Emirate flight to Greece when he was caught. Igwilo hails from Orifite in Anambra State.

The third importer, Orazuluba Blessed also told narcotic officers that the love for money made him to indulge in drug smuggling. The suspect who lives in Brazil had 1.500kg of cocaine concealed in a false bottom of his luggage. He hails from Ihiala in Anambra State. “I got a good bargain because I was entitled to 40 percent of the total value of the drug found in my luggage. I feel bad that I was arrested. I was so positive minded that it was a sealed transaction until NDLEA officers discovered the drug. I have struggled in my life and saw this drug deal as my breakthrough offer. I feel bad now because my entire dream of escaping poverty has been dashed” he lamented.

Ahmadu Giade NDLEA chairman

In another development, a 27- year -old man, Henry Nwaulu, had been intercepted by the Seme Border Command of the anti-narcotic body. The suspected drug trafficker was arrested at Gbaji check point along the Lagos-Badagry expressway. The drug was neatly hidden in a false bottom compartment of his luggage to avoid detection by narcotic officers. The suspect who was traveling to Indonesia via Ghana enroute Seme border was found with the illicit drug during routine check.

NDLEA sources said that the suspect had thought going through the border will be easier following the spate of seizures and arrests at the Lagos airport. He added that it is difficult for traffickers to smuggle drugs through the Seme Command. “We have an effective border patrol system to monitor the activities of drug traffickers at the border” he stated.

Chairman of NDLEA, Alhaji Giade who spoke on the development told Crime alert, “Any business man hiding under the cover of legitimate business in smuggling illicit drugs must quit now because the law will certainly catch up with them. This will happen very soon because we are working round the clock to identify, arrest and prosecute all criminals pretending to be law abiding citizens” Giade assured.