Officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have discovered cocaine inside sandals and luggage at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos. The 26 year old suspect, Igwe Williams Ogbonna concealed 630 grammes of powdery substance that tested positive for cocaine inside his luggage and two pairs of sandals while attempting to board a Kenyan Airways flight to India at the departure hall.
According to the NDLEA Airport commander, Mr Hamza Umar, the suspect wore one of the sandals while another pair of sandals containing drug was in his luggage. “The suspect was arrested following the discovery of the drug during routine search. Officers first found some cocaine inside sandals he wore at the screening area. During the search some quantities of cocaine were equally found in another pair of sandals and inside his luggage. In all he was found with 630 grammes of cocaine hidden inside two pairs of sandals and in his luggage” Hamza stated.
The suspect in his statement said that he was asked to go to India so as to further his studies. In his words, “they told me that I should go to India to further my studies because I have an Uncle there. They gave me only 700 dollars, still I was excited because I have always wanted to further my education. They directed me to Lagos from the East after preparing my travel documents. I was given the bag and pairs of sandals. They also instructed me to wear one of the sandals. I felt bad when the drug was detected”. Igwe hails from Mpu town in Aniri Local Government Area of Enugu State. He attended Mpu Nursery and Primary School and later Andrew Terfa Academy in Taraba State where he had his secondary education.
Chairman/Chief Executive of the Agency, Ahmadu Giade said that efforts are being made to arrest other persons connected to the crime. “The Agency is working to identify other suspects who are involved in the criminal act. I also wish to state that members of the public should be careful when people offer to sponsor them abroad. Investigation had since commenced and the suspect will be charged to court”.
