Suspected importer of N1.6bn cocaine arrested

Posted by admin Headlines, NDLEA (Anti-Drug Agency) Saturday, January 29th, 2011

A joint team of the Customs and the National Drug Laws Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has arrested one Elihu Essiet, suspected to be the brain behind the Importation of the 165 kilogram of cocaine seized earlier in the week.

The hard drug was intercepted at the Tin-Can Port Island.

The Customs Area Comptroller of the Tin-Can Island Command, Mr Austen Warikoru said that the interception of the drugs was facilitated by intelligence made available to the officials of the NDLEA.

The suspected importer, Warikoru said he was arrested at Agege, Lagos and that the drugs came from South America.

He warned drug barons to steer clear of the Command.

He stated that information came from the Anti-smuggling division of the United Kingdom Border Agency to the Nigeria Customs Service, which in turn alerted the NDLEA.

“The seizure came as a result of intelligence from the Nigeria Customs high Command in collaboration with the United Kingdom Border Agency (Anti-smuggling Division).

“The container was shipped in on board ‘MV/Jasmine which arrived our port in December 2010.

“This is another proof of my officers alertness in the ports and I wish to use this medium to let the world know that we are prepared for the fight against illicit drugs and unwholesome imports.

“The perpetrators are advised to look else where because no matter their antics, our preparedness is not in doubt.

In our collaborative effort, we invited the National Law Enforcement Agency for a joint examination of the container and there after, the 1×20 feet container with No MSCU 128723/1 was handed over to NDLEA by the Customs authorities after preliminary tests and evaluation for further investigation”.

-Vanguardwp_posts