South Africa-based Nigerian Cleric Conceals N1.4b Drugs In Assorted Foodstuffs

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency are interrogating a South Africa-based evangelist, John Vincent Arinze, over 165kg of narcotics drugs seized at the Apapa seaport in Lagos State.

The 92kg of methamphetamine and 73kg of ephedrine were detected inside two containers of foodstuff meant for export to South Africa.

The NDLEA said the arrest and seizure were a product of intense undercover operation.

The estimated street value of the drugs was put at N1.4 billion.

The drugs were hidden inside packs of melon concealed in foodstuff and cosmetics.

The foodstuffs included gari (cassava flakes), noodles, Knorr and Maggi food seasoning, yam powder, malt drinks, pepper, milk, herbal hair cream and Golden Morn cereals.

Other items in the container were Damatol hair cream, bags of melon, kegs of palm oil, beans, biscuits, sardine and cartons of Orijin Bitters.

During the examination of the containers marked MSKU 388274-1and MSKU 424717-0, anti-narcotic officials detected 20kg of Methamphetamine and 50kg of Ephedrine inside the first container and 72kg of Methamphetamine and 23kg of Ephedrine in the second container.

NDLEA operatives successfully traced the illicit consignment to Arinze, 52, who claimed to be an evangelist.

He was was arrested in his hotel room in Lagos.

A Mercedes Benz Jeep belonging to him was also impounded at the time of the arrest.

The suspect hails from Ara village, Nise in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Arise, who had lived in South Africa for over a decade accepted ownership of the illicit shipment.

The suspect, in his statement, said he made a big mistake by taking over the business of his late wife.

He said: “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 all my fault.”

The Chairman and Chief Executive of the NDLEA, retired Colonel Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah, said the seizure had significant influence on the campaign against narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

Abdallah said: “This is a product of careful planning and meticulous tracking of narcotic drugs movement.

“The consignments were closely monitored by our undercover agents and intercepted at the Apapa seaport, Lagos, following the detection of narcotics by NDLEA sniffer dogs during screening operation.

“This will definitely have a positive influence on Nigeria’s drug control efforts.”

The NDLEA boss added that the agency would remain meticulous in detecting drugs and prosecuting offenders.

Abdallah added: “I am very happy with the success recorded in this operation.

“The agency will remain painstaking and professional in the fight against illicit drug production, trafficking and abuse.

“We hope to unmask the drug syndicate behind this shipment and make more arrests soon.”

Arinze will soon be charged to court.