Two British Nationals, 2 Nigerians Nabbed for Smuggling Cannabis
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested two British nationals and two Nigerians for attempting to smuggle a large consignment of cannabis into the country.
The suspects were apprehended at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos, on May 22.
According to a statement released by NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, on Sunday, the suspects were caught with 92 bags of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis, weighing 51.10kg.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Mhizha Jordan Alexander Tatendra and Ayedipe Andrew Adejuwon, both British nationals, as well as Shonowo Oluwaseun Imole and Ofuoma Omokaro Ayobami, who are Nigerians.
The NDLEA operatives had been tracking the consignment based on processed intelligence, which led them to intercept Alexander upon his arrival at the MMIA on a Qatar Airline flight from Doha on Thursday, May 15.
He was allowed to pass through security control unhindered and was closely monitored by NDLEA operatives to the car park, where the owner of the cargo, Ayedipe Andrew Adejuwon, was waiting in an SUV along with his relation, Shonowo Oluwaseun Imole, and the driver of the vehicle, Ofuoma Omokaro Ayobami.
The NDLEA spokesman revealed that the suspects had planned to receive the courier and transport the cannabis to its final destination.
However, their plan was foiled by the timely intervention of the NDLEA operatives, who had been monitoring their movements.
The arrest of the four suspects is a significant achievement for the NDLEA, which has been working tirelessly to combat the smuggling of illicit drugs into the country.
The agency has vowed to continue its efforts to disrupt the supply chain of narcotics and bring those involved in the trade to justice.
The suspects are currently being held in custody and are facing charges related to drug trafficking. If convicted, they could face severe penalties, including imprisonment and fines.
The NDLEA has urged members of the public to report any suspicious activities related to drug trafficking to the agency, promising to protect the identities of informants and ensure their safety.
This latest arrest is a testament to the NDLEA’s commitment to combating the scourge of drug trafficking in Nigeria and its determination to protect the country’s citizens from the harmful effects of illicit drugs.
