The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested a
52-year-old evangelist, John Arinze, over his attempt to export N1.4bn worth of
narcotics to South Africa. The agency said the drugs, made of 92kgs of
methamphetamine and 73kgs of ephedrine, were detected inside two containers of
foodstuff meant for export to South Africa at the Apapa Seaport in Lagos.
According to NDLEA spokesperson, Mitchell Ofoyeju, the
suspect, who is a Nigerian based in South Africa, was under interrogation
following an intense undercover operation by the agency and that he had
confessed to the crime. He added that sniffer dogs belonging to the agency
detected the drugs during screening operation.
"During examination of the containers marked MSKU 388274-1
and MSKU 424717-0; anti-narcotic officials detected 20kg of Methamphetamine and
50kg of Ephedrine inside the first container. Also, 72Kg of Methamphetamine and
23Kg of Ephedrine were detected in the second container. The total weight of
the drugs is 165kg.
"Officers successfully traced the illicit consignment to a
fifty-two year old man who claimed to be an evangelist by name John Vincent
Arinze who was arrested in his hotel room in Lagos. A Mercedes Benz sport utility
vehicle belonging to him was also impounded at the time of arrest. The suspect
hails from Ara village, Nise in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra
State. John who had lived in South Africa for over a decade accepted ownership
of the illicit shipment."
The statement noted further that the drugs were hidden
inside packs of melon, concealed in foodstuff and cosmetics such as garri
(cassava flakes), noodles, food seasoning, yam powder, some alcoholic and
non-alcoholic drinks, pepper, milk, herbal hair cream and cereals.
Other items in the container were said to include hair
cream, bags of melon, kegs of palm oil, beans, biscuits and sardine.
The suspect was said to have told the operatives in his
statement that he made a "big mistake" by taking over the business of his late
wife, who was into drug trafficking.
"I am an evangelist living in Durban South Africa. My late
wife was into drug trafficking before she died few years ago. I made a mistake
venturing into her business. It is my fault," he was quoted as saying.
According to the statement, the Chairman/Chief Executive of
NDLEA, Col. Muhammad Abdallah (retd.) said the seizure would have a positive
influence on the campaign against narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in
the country.
Abdallah was quoted as saying "This is a product of careful
planning and meticulous tracking of narcotic drugs movement. The consignments
were closely monitored by our undercover agents and intercepted at Apapa
Seaport, Lagos following the detection of narcotics by NDLEA sniffer dogs
during screening operation. This will definitely have a positive influence on
Nigeria’s drug control efforts.
"I am very happy with the success recorded in this
operation. The Agency will remain painstaking and professional in the fight
against illicit drug production, trafficking, abuse and prosecuting offenders.
We hope to unmask the drug syndicate behind this shipment and make more arrests
soon."
The statement said the suspect would soon be charged to
court.
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