South Africa bound illegal drugs intercepted at Lagos airport

From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

Officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said they have prevented a 38-year-old man from smuggling drugs to South Africa.

Nigeria authorities and it South African counterpart are currently locked in a seemingly diplomatic misunderstanding over the interception of $9.3 million in cash seizure in a South Africa airport.

The arrest and drug seizure took place at the international wing of the Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos, during the outward screening of Arik Air passengers to South Africa.

The drug was concealed in a false compartment of the suspect’s luggage.

NDLEA commander at the Lagos airport, Hamza Umar, gave the name of the suspect as Darlugar Ufondu Steven. “Steven was apprehended on his way to South Africa. He was found in possession of 1.535kg of substances that tested positive for methamphetamine”.

The suspect, who claims to be an assistant coach in an amateur football club in South Africa said he was under immense financial pressure.

“I am married with a child and have lived in South Africa for about a decade. I have worked very hard to attain financial freedom but have nothing in return. This is my first time of smuggling drugs. I was under financial pressure to cope with peers. A friend introduced me to drug trafficking as a way of making quick money. They promised to pay me 6,000 dollars to take the bag containing the drugs to South Africa”.

Chairman of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade called on members of the public to support drug control efforts.

“We have made remarkable improvement in our counter-narcotic efforts. The Agency is prepared to detect hidden drugs and prosecute the drug barons. Members of the public should avoid drug trafficking and report suspected cases to the agency”, Giade stated.

The agency said suspect will soon be charged to court.