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| Mbanefo Okanume |
In Malaysia, if you are caught with drugs it is death penalty and nothing less.
Law enforcement agents arrested a suspected drug trafficker at the Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano for being in possession of 2kg of a substance believed to be methamphetanine.
The suspect, Mbanefo Okanume, 31, was arrested during the screening of passengers on an Egypt Air flight MS880. He was on his way to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, through Cairo.
The substance was allegedly hidden in the false bottom of Okanume’s luggage.
The NDLEA Commander at the airport, Mr. Umoru Ambrose, lamented the persistent attempts by criminals at trafficking hard drugs, despite the efforts of the agency at checking their activities.
Describing the obstinacy of drug traffickers as shocking, he said, “This is a very disturbing development. A situation where drug traffickers smuggle narcotics to countries like Malaysia where drug offences attract death penalty is shocking.”
Okanume told CRIME DIGEST that he lived in Lagos and was specifically instructed to travel through the Kano airport.
“I am a trader but I needed some money to invest in my business. I was offered $3,500 to take the drugs to Malaysia. My travel expenses were paid for and I was instructed to travel through the Kano airport; that I would not be caught there. Unfortunately, I was arrested during boarding,” he said.
The Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, commended the arrest. He said. “The drug war has come to stay and we are making progress. We will not fold our hands and watch Nigerians languish in prisons or get killed in connection with illicit drug trafficking abroad.
“The NDLEA will continue to sustain efforts aimed at protecting our nationals from the narcotics trade. Drug barons are fast losing the battle.”
Okanume, a native of Ojoto in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State, will be charged with unlawful possession and exportation of methamphetamine.
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