Operatives of 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.
“Officers had to cut open the sides of the bag to recover the parcels of drugs. On interrogation as to the purposes of his travel, the suspect claimed he had an interview in London.”
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.”
NDLEA boss, Ahmadu Giade