Suspected importer of N1.6bn cocaine
arrested
January 29, 2011
News
By GODWIN ORITSE
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 ”.

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