According to Punch, the National Drug Law Enforcement
Agency have apprehended a 30-year-old man, John Arinze, for being in possession
of 2.1 kilogrames of methamphetamine. The NDLEA Head of Public Affairs, Mr.
Mitchell Ofoyeju, said the arrest was made during the outward screening of
passengers on a Virgin Atlantic flight to London at the Murtala Muhammed
International Airport, Lagos.
NDLEA Airport Commander, Mr. Hamza Umar, who confirmed the
arrest, said, “Four parcels containing substances that tested positive for
methamphetamine were found carefully hidden inside Arinze’s luggage.
Arinze, who is a career counsellor, also claimed to
be an ambassador of Bolton University in the United Kingdom where he had lived
for three years. Arinze claimed that he was given the bag by a friend, who
bought his return ticket to London.
He said, “I came to Nigeria in June as an alumni
ambassador of my university. I have a Master’s degree in International
Business from Bolton University. Work was at advanced stage for an exhibition
in Onitsha with parents and prospective candidates, who are interested in
furthering their education in the United Kingdom.
“In the process, I got an interview request in
London which I had wanted to quickly attend and then return to Nigeria. A
friend who assisted me in buying my ticket gave me the bag to use for my trip.
It was inside the bag that the parcels of drug were found. I truly regret the
incident and will like my friends, relatives and business partners to please
understand my situation.”
Chairman of NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, described Arinze’s excuse
as disappointing.
He said, “It is sad and disappointing that the suspect
could yield to the demand to traffic drugs considering his academic background
and profession as a career counsellor.”
Source: Punch
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