SINGAPORE: A Nigerian man who is a member of an international West African drug syndicate has been detained under the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act for recruiting Singaporean women as drug couriers.

A statement from the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) said Thursday that 31—year—old Okemawalan Ugo Buchi, who is also known as "Malik", "Michael" and "Ugo", was arrested on July 1 together with his accomplice, a Singaporean woman.

His accomplice was also detained for her involvement in drug trafficking activities with the syndicate.

Investigations showed that Okemawalan would court Singaporean women at nightspots at Clarke Quay and coffeeshops in Bencoolen area.

CNB said he would live off his girlfriends, and then offer them high—paying jobs to deliver bags of clothing samples which actually contain drugs to China and Europe.

The girlfriends would be paid between US$500 and US$1500 for each trip, depending on the destination.

The Singaporean women would start out with drug runs to nearby countries, and move on to further places in Europe and Latin America.

CNB said that between December 2008 and March 2009, Okemawalan had organised at least 10 drug runs using his girlfriends as drug couriers.

According to CNB, Okemawalan was an organiser of the drug syndicate, which has other West African members based in countries such as China, Nigeria, Spain, Greece, Guyana, Puerto Rico and Brazil.

This is the simple reason why Singapore imposed visa on Nigeria Passport holders. Back in the late 90s when i frequently visited Singapore, it was the first country where i was accorded full respect and welcomed on arrival as a human , black man, an African and above all a Nigerian. Things have changed now. I think i might even know the guy in question tho!, not 100% certain. I'm sure he has a singaporean stay and know too well the laws, death penalty for traffickers, funny enough working in Singapore pays excellently well if u have a residential status. And Just like America was before the bubble bursted getting a job in Singapore is like looking for water. Why then would any one choose death over life? what a waste!!!

Laws create crime and voilence. why should the govt. pick your poison for you.many things will kill you. legalize everything and then educate people about effects.

Although criminal, these guys are clever! They know blacks will automatically raise eyebrows in most airports, so in order to increase the chances of the package to arrive safely, they hire less suspicious east asians.

I don't condone it, but damn, that's a good strategy.

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It's plain stupid to trade drugs in those countries with harsh penalties including death sentence. You will get caught one day and everything you have is gone!