Europe-bound student arrested at Abuja airport for drug trafficking

The operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 19-year-old student, Benjamin Nnamani Daberechi, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja for attempting to export 7.2 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed in crayfish to Europe where he was going for undergraduate studies.

The teenage suspect was arrested on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, during an outward clearance of passengers on Turkish Airlines flight TK 0624 at the Abuja airport.

The NDLEA Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, made the disclosure via a statement issued on Sunday, July 16.

Babafemi noted that the student, while being interviewed by the NDLEA operatives, claimed he was a student on his way to Cyprus for studies, adding that he (Daberechi) was found in possession of 7.2kg of whitish substance neatly concealed inside a sack of crayfish.

He stated that the field test of the substance however proved positive for Methamphetamine.

The NDLEA spokesman disclosed that the anti-narcotics officers, on Tuesday, July 11, at the Tincan Port, intercepted 116.5kg consignment of Colorado, a strong strain of cannabis, concealed in bags hidden in a heap of used vehicles parts on the floor of a container marked FCIU 8459700, bearing three units of used vehicles imported from Toronto, Canada.

He added: “Based on intelligence, the Agency had requested for a 100 percent examination of the container which arrived the TICT terminal of the port on 14th June.

“A joint examination with the Nigeria Customs, DSS, and other stakeholders on Tuesday 11th July, however, led to the discovery of 233 parcels of the illicit substance stashed inside travelling bags on the floor of the container, covered with used vehicles spare parts.”

Reacting, the NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), commended the tenacity of the anti-drug agency officers, urging them and their compatriots across the country to remain vigilant.

The Star

Segun Ojo