A 52-year-old evangelist, John Arinze, has been arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency
over his
attempt to export N1.4bn worth of narcotics to South Africa.
over his
attempt to export N1.4bn worth of narcotics to South Africa.
It said the drugs, made of 92kgs of
methamphetamine and 73kgs of ephedrine, were detected inside two
containers of foodstuff meant for export to South Africa at the Apapa
Seaport in Lagos.
methamphetamine and 73kgs of ephedrine, were detected inside two
containers of foodstuff meant for export to South Africa at the Apapa
Seaport in Lagos.
A statement by the NDLEA spokesperson,
Mitchell Ofoyeju, on Friday said the suspect, who is a Nigerian based in
South Africa,confessed to the crime. He added
that sniffer dogs belonging to the agency detected the drugs during
screening operation.
Mitchell Ofoyeju, on Friday said the suspect, who is a Nigerian based in
South Africa,confessed to the crime. He added
that sniffer dogs belonging to the agency detected the drugs during
screening operation.
The drugs were hidden inside packs of
melon concealed in foodstuff and cosmetics such as gari (cassava
flakes), noodles, Knorr and Maggi food seasoning, yam powder, malt
drinks, pepper, milk, herbal hair cream and Golden Morn cereals.
melon concealed in foodstuff and cosmetics such as gari (cassava
flakes), noodles, Knorr and Maggi food seasoning, yam powder, malt
drinks, pepper, milk, herbal hair cream and Golden Morn cereals.
The statement partly read,“During
examination of the containers marked MSKU 388274-1 and MSKU 424717-0;
anti-narcotic officials detected 20kg of Methamphetamine and 50kg of
Ephedrine inside the first container. Also, 72Kg of Methamphetamine and
23Kg of Ephedrine were detected in the second container. The total
weight of the drugs is 165kg.“Officers successfully traced the
illicit consignment to a fifty-two year old man who claimed to be an
evangelist by name John Vincent Arinze who was arrested in his hotel
room in Lagos. A Mercedes Benz sport utility vehicle belonging to him
was also impounded at the time of arrest. The suspect hails from Ara
village, Nise in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State. John
who had lived in South Africa for over a decade accepted ownership of
the illicit shipment.”
The suspect was said to have told the
operatives in his statement that he made a “big mistake” by taking over
the business of his late wife, who was into drug trafficking.
operatives in his statement that he made a “big mistake” by taking over
the business of his late wife, who was into drug trafficking.
“I am an evangelist living in Durban
South Africa. My late wife was into drug trafficking before she died few
years ago. I made a mistake venturing into her business. It is my
fault,” he was quoted as saying.