Asaba based music producer, Micheal Okafor was caught by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) alongside three other Nigerians based in South Africa namely, Obi John Chukwuenyem, Gilbert Kelvin and Deborah Ifeoma with banned drugs weighing 41.625 kilogrammes comprising 36.675kg of methamphetamine and 4.95 kilogrammes of cocaine with an estimated street value of over N374,625million.
The substances were concealed in security lamps, silicon sealants, foodstuff and luggage.
Lagos Airport Commander, NDLEA , Hamza Umar said Obi John Chukwuenyem (48) was caught with 21.695 kilogrammes of methamphetamine hidden inside his bag; Gilbert Kelvin (37) with 9.980 kilogrammes of methamphetamine concealed inside solar security lamps; Deborah Ifeoma (40) with five kilogrammes of methamphetamine packed inside foodstuff and Okafor Michael (44), with 4.95 kilogrammes of cocaine hidden inside silicon sealants.
Umar said Okafor was coming from Sao Paulo in Brazil; the others were trying to smuggle methamphetamine to South Africa where they reside.
Obi, who lives in South Africa with his three children, said he was lured into drug trafficking on his birthday. “I struggle to feed my family by selling foodstuff. Now, the business is near-moribund. A friend met me on my birthday and introduced me into drug trafficking. He promised to pay me 15,000 South Africa rand. My children are out of school because of my inability to pay tuition fee. This is the first time I would deal in drugs and I regret everything. I pray to be out of this problem” he said.
Gilbert, who also lives in South Africa where he imports and exports phones and clothes, said he has five children from three women, adding: “My business is grounded and I now live from hand to mouth. My South African friend for over ten years gave me solar lamps where the drug was found. He used to assist me financially and he also promised to pay my children’s school fees.”
Deborah, who lives in South Africa with her family, said: “I take care of my seven children from selling foodstuffs. I came to Nigeria to buy foodstuffs like melon, vegetables and other local spices. I approached a man in South Africa for financial assistance to enable me expand my business. He called me that somebody would give me some food items for him. When I got to the airport, NDLEA officers detected methamphetamine in the package given to me by the man. This was how I found myself in this situation”.
Meanwhile, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Ahmadu Giade has endorsed plans to amend the NDLEA Act for stiffer penalties and easier forfeiture of illegal drug proceeds.
Source: ThenationNewspaper
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