By Oghenekevwe Laba, Lagos
Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Ahmadu Giade has ordered the investigation of two crew members of Arik Air arrested by officials of British Custom at Heathrow Airport, London in connection with drug trafficking. It was gathered that the crew members, Temitayo Olubunmi Daramola was found in possession of 6kg of cocaine while Delita Abibimgbi was found with 60 packets of cigarettes.
The Arik Air flight reportedly took off from the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos on Monday May 20, 2013. Eight out of ten crew members that travelled with the flight have been cleared while the remaining two are still being held in London.
According to the NDLEA Chairman, “we have received report of the arrest and I have ordered a full scale investigation of the incident. Anyone found wanting shall be brought to book as no effort shall be spared in protecting the image of our country”.
It will be recalled that on August 8, 2007, officials of the NDLEA arrested a Virgin Atlantic crew member with drugs in a London bound flight. The crew member, one Mohammed Ibrahim Wudil was caught at the Lagos airport with 1.743kg of cocaine. The drug which was concealed in a black polythene bag inside a hand luggage was found in the flight compartment.
The Agency also vowed to beef-up security checks at all entry and exit points in the country.