By Albert Akpor &       Daniel Eteghe
Operatives of National Drug Law Enforce Agency, NDLEA, Tuesday, arrested a husband, aged 60 and wife, aged 57 (Mr. and Mrs Owolabi Ganiu), printer and trader, respectively, with 2.280 kiligrammes of heroin at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Lagos.

The suspects were arrested at the boarding gate during a routine check on Delta Airline’s passengers to the United States of America.

NDLEA Airport Commander, Alhaji Hamza Umar, said the suspects allegedly ingested 160 wraps of powdery substance that tested positive as heroin weighing 2.280kg, adding that they (suspects) completed excreting all the 160 wraps of the drugs yesterday.

He pointed out that each of the suspects swallowed 80 wraps of heroin that weighed 1.140kg, stressing that this was the first time that both husband and wife would test positive to drug ingestion.

Umar said: “Preliminary investigation has shown that the couple specialised in narcotic smuggling under the cover of husband and wife. Findings also revealed that they ingested the drugs by the roadside at Tafawa Balewa Square Lagos before heading straight to the airport.

“Authorities are making efforts to ascertain their level of involvement, and other associates. They were given an initial payment of 2,000 dollars each and were hopeful of additional 8,000 dollars if they had successfully delivered the drugs in New York, their final destination. Any marriage built on the platform of drug trafficking will not work.”
Giade reacts
While commending the officers for promptly arresting the couple over drugs trafficking, Chief Executive of NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade affirmed that their vigilance at the last minutes of the previous years was a winning signal.

He further noted that the agency was adequately prepared to curb drug trafficking, adding that its determination to eraducate drug was non-negotiable.

The NDLEA boss, however, expressed disappointment at the involvement of the couple in drug trafficking given their old age saying that the law would take its  full course on them.

He said: “We shall remain resolute on our mission of extra-vigilance at all times. The suspects wanted to capitalise on the end of year last moment frenzy to smuggle drugs. Wishing the officers a prosperous New Year will not stop them from discharging their duties professionally.

“The task of drug control is vital to national security and not even the aged or newlywed will make us lose concentration.”

Confession
Narrating his ordeal, the suspect (husbnad) he had a printing press with the name Joabsin Printing Press, he was still having financial problems. He said that was the major reason why he considered the option of drug trafficking.

He said: “I am a printer. A young man I met in a café introduced me into drug deal since 2009. I have two wives. My second wife that was arrested with me is my business partner because we deal in drugs together.

“I voluntarily agreed to smuggle drugs because of my financial problems. I need money for school fees, rent and feeding. I started the drug business in 2009. I feel sad and regret my involvement in drug trafficking.”

The excitement of 10,000 dollars per trip was irresistible. I was optimistic that travelling as husband and wife will not attract attention of security operatives” he stated.

Also, the wife, Omowunmi Eniola who did not deny the drug escapades with her husband as his business partner also hails from Kwara State. She got married to her present husband (Owolabi) after his former husband Wahab Aremu died and since then she had been involved in drug trafficking. The suspect who is a grandmother has five children; the eldest is 35 years old married with children.

“I was frustrated after my first husband died, but I found hope in drug trafficking with my new marriage to Owolabi Ganiyu. I did not know that it will end this way. I feel sad. If only I can get out of this case, I pray to God not to involve myself in drug trafficking in my life” she stated.

It will be recalled that on March 28, 2010, a couple Mr. and Mrs. Jimoh Oladega Bashir, commonly dubbed ‘the cocaine family’ were nabbed in connection with unlawful exportation of 4.050kg of cocaine during the outward clearance of passengers on Arik Air to London.

Unlike the recent arrest, the husband did not have drugs on him but the wife and six year old twins were found with 4.050kg cocaine. The recent case is still under investigation and will soon be charged to court.

Police Calling

MISSING PERSONS
One Augustine Isah ‘m’ aged 44yrs, about 5ft tall, dark in complexion, speaks Hausa and English Languages fluently. If seen contact one Augustine Raliha ‘f of Dos-Santos Compound front line Ekunday Road Badagry or Badagry Police Sta ion.

One Salau Adekojo ‘m’ aged 15yrs, about 4ft tall, dark in complexion, speaks Yoruba and English Languages fluently. If seen contact one Nike Adekojo ‘1″ of No.1, Amusa Street,  Mafoluku Oshodi Lagos or Makinde Police Station.

One Fatai Awoyale ‘m’, aged 33yrs, about 5ft tall, fair in complexion, speaks English and Yoruba Languages fluently. If seen contact one Joseph Kpcku ‘m’ of No.14/51, Pipeline ,Road Oke-Odo Lagos or Oke-Odo Police St3tion.

One Shadia Yahaya “f’ aged 14yrs old about 4ft tall, dark in complexion, speak Yoruba and English language fluently. If seen contact one Amusa Yahaya ‘m’ of No.28, Opeki Road Ipaja Lagos or Ipaja Police Station.
One; Kazeem  Agboola ‘m’ age  15yrs old, about 4ft tall, dark in complexion, speaks English and Yoruba languages fluently. If seen contact one Hammed Rauf  ‘m’ of Olanrewaju House Check-point along Badagry Expressway or Morogbo Police Station.

STOLEN VEHICLES
One Toyota Camry S/Car unregistered. Colour Blue . with Chassis No ATIBE32K92U558088. If seen contact any nearest Police Station or Soloko Police Station.

One Toyota Camry S/Car with  Reg. No. WH 01 AAA. Colour Black with Chassis No. 4TIBE46K97U688475. If seen contact any nearest Police Station or Mowe Ibafor Police Station.

One Honda Accord S/Car with Reg. DE 603 JJJ. Colour Silver with Engine No. K24A42308413 and Chassis No.IHGCM56874A061766. If seen contact any  nearest Police Station or Adekunle Police Station.