National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has broken a chain between some airport officials and drug traffickers as it arrested an airline manager and official of a major ground handling company in connection with the movement of 500 mg of cocaine, which was part of 2.00 kg already intercepted by the agency...
The agency said that few days after it alerted Nigerians on the Nigeria-Brazil drug trafficking route, it has uncovered the suspected drug ring at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
"This followed the arrest of a South Africa Airline manager, Adebulehin Michael, 46, and a Nigeria Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) baggage officer, Olude Hakeem, 39, over attempt to smuggle a bag containing 500 grammes of cocaine unlawfully imported from Brazil out of the airport. The suspects are believed to have links with major drug traffickers in Brazil," the agency said.
NDLEA airport commander in Lagos, Hamza Umar, told newsmen that the agency had already arrested the man who imported the 1.5 kg of cocaine, which was arranged in three bags. He said each bag contained 500 mg each and the fourth bag which did not come at the same time the suspect arrived came in about nine days later.
According to Umar, because NDLEA officials were on alert they saw the luggage more than one week later when the NAHCO official was taking the consignment to the airport manager in Abuja.
NDLEA CEO Ahmadu Giade described the suspects' action as an act of national sabotage, promising that the suspects would be prosecuted in line with the agency's Act to serve as a deterrent to others.
He decried the action of the suspects and also warned that the agency was prepared to counter any move by drug barons and major drug traffickers in order to enhance security at the nation's airports.
"We are delighted with the discovery and subsequent arrests of the suspects. It is disappointing that people who should ordinarily assist the Agency are out rightly working against us. This is a calculated attempt to undermine the operations of the Agency and it will be vehemently resisted. We shall remain vigilant so as to counter such inimical activities" Giade stressed. He also expressed optimism that more arrests shall be made.
Umar explained that operatives of the agency on October 31, 2010 arrested one Jinadu Babatunde Ganiyu, 37, with 1.500kg of cocaine.
"The drug was concealed in the metal handles of his luggage on his way from Brazil aboard a South Africa Airways flight. "Each metal handle of his bag contained 500 grammes of cocaine. He told us he checked-in 4 bags but on arrival in Lagos only 3 bags were found. He then reported that one of his luggage was missing. We monitored it closely until we arrested the two suspects attempting to smuggle the bag out" Hamza stated.
NDLEA said that Adebulehin Michael has been working with South Africa Airways for eight years and was currently the Passenger Service Baggage Manager.
When interrogated by the agency Adebulehin said, "The passenger reported a missing luggage on October 31. The bag arrived on November nine and Mrs. Jinadu called me on Thursday, November 18 that the husband reported a missing luggage from Brazil. She begged me to assist by sending the bag to her at Abuja that she had sent somebody to collect the bag but he was not given. I was only assisting her as the baggage manager because I have sent several bags like that in the past".
Adebulehin is married with three children and hails from Ekiti State.
Olude Hakeem who works with NAHCO as a Baggage Officer was first intercepted at the arrival hall with the bag; however, he told NDLEA operatives that he was sent to carry the bag by one Adebulehin Michael who is the South Africa Airways baggage manager.
"I am only acting on the instructions of the baggage manager. He told me to carry the bag from the store. When NDLEA indicated interest in the bag, I immediately told them that it was Adebulehin that sent me" Olude who hails from Abeokuta, Ogun State stated.
The agency said that both suspects in their confessional statements had admitted their roles in the failed attempt to smuggle the luggage out of the airport to Abuja.
Meanwhile, NDLEA boss said that if the airline is found wanting, the agency would not hesitate to take necessary legal action.
"We have commenced investigation into the case. If the airline is found wanting, we will not hesitate to sanction it and take necessary legal action" Giade stated.
The first suspect, Jinadu Babatunde Ganiyu, 37, who was arrested with 1.500kg of cocaine concealed in the handles of his travel bag told NDLEA, "I work in a poultry farm in Brazil. I was home sick and needed to come to Nigeria. My wife and child live at Ikene, Ogun State. They told me there was drug in the bags and offered to pay for my return ticket and also give me half a million naira. That was how I was convinced because I need to settle my family for the end of year festive period".
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