A thirty-two (32) year old cell phone dealer at Computer Village, Lagos has been nabbed with 22.490kg of dried weeds that tested positive for cannabis. The suspect, Okafor Obinna Michael was arrested while attempting to board an Emirate flight to China at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA). The drug was disguised as food ingredients labelled African Food Source.
NDLEA Airport commander, Mr Hamza Umar said that the seized cannabis was concealed in foodstuff and spices. “A business man by name Okafor Obinna Michael was found with 22.490kg of cannabis hidden inside foodstuff and cooking spices. The cannabis packed with crayfish, pepper and food ingredients was detected by officers during search operations” Hamzar stated.
The suspect in his statement said that he was tempted to smuggle drugs in search of basic traveling allowance. “My intention was to seek greener pastures in China. After buying my ticket, I had no more money on me. It was in the process of trying to get some money that made me to smuggle drugs. I was given the bag at the airport by a man promised to pay me 1,000 dollars. He gave me 500 dollars I was to collect another 500 dollars when I deliver the bag in China” Okafor Obinna Michael told investigators. He hails from Aguata Local Government Area in Anambra State.
Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade called on members of the public not to travel out of the country without having enough money to take care of their basic needs. “It is very risky to embark on a journey outside your country without having basic travel allowance. Such persons are exposed to temptations and vulnerable to crime in other to survive. People should look inwards to discover the economic opportunities that abound in our country” Giade urged.
The suspect will soon be charged to court.
