PRESS RELEASE
SUSPECTED FEMALE TRAFFICKERS HIDES DRUGS IN UNDERWEARS, HAIR WIGS
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested three suspected female drug traffickers over smuggling of 4.500kg of narcotics in under wears and hair wigs. All three suspects were apprehended at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Federal Capital Territory, Abuja last weekend. Two of the suspects who were to board an Egypt airline flight to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, through Cairo were caught with 3.6kg of methamphetamines neatly hidden in customised under wears and hair wigs. Another female suspect who claimed to be three months pregnant was found to have ingested 900 grammes of substance that tested positive for cocaine.
NDLEA Commander at the Abuja Airport, Mr. Hamisu Lawan gave the names of the suspects as Ms Anene Blessing Iruoma, age 26, Ms Obiakor Maryann Okwudili, age 34 and Ms Mbechi Obiageli Susan, age 38. The Commander also thanked the management of the Federal Airport Authority for alerting the NDLEA of possible drug concealment following a body frisk on one of the suspects.
According to Hamisu,“Anene Blessing Iruoma and Ms Obiakor Maryann Okwudili concealed 1.7kg and 1.90kg of methamphetamine in under wears and hair wigs while Mbechi Obiageli Susan ingested 900 grammes of substance that tested positive for cocaine. The drugs were detected during routine screening of passengers. The suspects are helping narcotic officials in our investigation. I commend the level of cooperation among security Agencies at the airport. I also thank the management of the Federal Airport Authority for their significant role in these arrests”.
Miss Anene Blessing who hails from Igbariam in Anambra State with Passport number A03660604 was found to be wearing a customized brazier, pants and hair wig all stuffed with substances which tested positive for methamphetamine weighing 1.7kg. Ms Obiakor Maryann Okwudili, age 34, who hails from Nando in Anambra state with passport number A01444553 was apprehended on same flight with Anene. She too concealed 1.90kg of methamphetamine in under wears.
The third suspect by name Mbechi Obiageli Susan, with passport number A00288396 hails from Oduma village in Enugu State. She ingested 900 grammes of cocaine and was arrested on her way from Sao-Paulo, Brazil with the aid of scanning machines. Mbechi who claimed to be 3 months pregnant later excreted 51 pellets of cocaine weighing 900 grammes.
Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA Ahmadu Giade said that the Agency will provide the enabling environment for a strong and sustainable drug control institution in the country. “Drug trafficking is criminal and as security managers we have a responsibility to provide the enabling environment for officers and stakeholders to give their best in addressing the drug problem. These and subsequent arrests and drug seizures will further discourage potential drug traffickers that they will caught and prosecuted” Giade stated.
The suspects who will soon be charged to court could be sentenced to 15 years under the NDLEA Act.
Ofoyeju Mitchell
Head, Public Affairs
