The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
has foiled an attempt by a passenger to smuggle
twenty-three wraps containing thirty-four thousand
United States Dollars ($34,000).
The suspect, Ozoh Ikenna was arrested On Friday at the
Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos
on his way to Brazil. The dollars were detected during the
screening of passengers on Etihad Airways flight to Abu
Dhabi.
According to Commander Ahmadu Garba, NDLEA
Commandant, Airport Division, the arrest was
facilitated with the aid of scanning machine.
“The wraps of dollars found on Ozoh Ikenna were
detected with the aid of scanning machine. We also
conducted a follow-up operation where one Ogbo
Emmanuel who gave Ozoh the $34,000 dollars was
arrested,” he recounted.
Further investigations conducted by the Assets and
Financial Investigation directorate headed by Mrs.
Victoria Egbase revealed that the suspects are involved
in the laundering of substantial amount of illicit drug
proceeds.
Egbase disclosed: “We were able to trace over two
hundred and twenty-six million naira (N226,000,000) to
one bank account belonging to the second suspect, Ogbo
Emmanuel. The account name is Eternal God
International Limited.
In his statement, Ozoh disclosed that he was only a
courier. In his words, “I live in Brazil since 2008, I was
paid to smuggle the $34,000 to Brazil. They promised to
pay me five per cent. I agreed to smuggle the money to
alleviate my financial hardship. I could not swallow the
wraps so I decided to hide it in my underpants” he stated.
Investigation also discovered that suspected drug
proceeds were regularly deposited in the said bank
account by members of an international drug cell that
smuggles cocaine from South America to West Africa
Further findings revealed that the cosmetic business of
Ogbo Emmanuel at Trade Fair Complex Lagos was a mere
cover-up as his sales record did not justify the large flow
of money into his bank account. A Hyundai Tucson Jeep
was seized as exhibit during the raid operation.
The Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu
Giade disclosed that the Agency is strategically targeting
criminal wealth.
“Asset forfeiture is one of the effective ways of
responding to organised crime threats. We are working
assiduously to trace and confiscate criminal wealth of
drug syndicates. Strategic efforts are on-going to
prevent the entry of drug proceeds into legitimate
economy and criminal financing” he stated.
The NDLEA boss, who assured members of the public
that in view of the overwhelming evidence linking the
money to narcotics, the Agency will diligently prosecute
the suspects., added that efforts are also being made to
apprehend other members of the drug cell.”


Source:- https://www.today.ng/news/23230/dollars-smuggler-nabbed-with-34000-at-lagos-airport/

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https://www.today.ng/news/23230/dollars-smuggler-nabbed-with-34000-at-lagos-airport/

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