Ex-Customs officer arrested for drug trafficking

An ex-Customs officer, Ngwoke Emmanuel, has told narcotic investigators that he collected about N500, 000 to smuggle cannabis deceptively packaged as contraband (used clothes) from Seme to Lagos Island.

The suspect, who is being interrogated for his alleged role in trafficking 394kg of dried weeds that tested positive to cannabis, was arrested by customs officers at Gbaji checking point along the Lagos Badagry express road.

He was immediately transferred to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for investigation.

The estimated value of the drug is N4million.

NDLEA Commander at Seme Border, Udotung Essien, said that the suspect was transferred with 394kg of cannabis and the case was under investigation.

“Officials of the Nigeria Customs Service arrested and transferred one Ngwoke Emmanuel, found in possession of cannabis weighing 394kg, to the Agency for further action. Investigation is ongoing and the suspect will soon be charged to court,” Essien said.
The 39-year-old suspect in his statement said that he was told by his accomplices that the content of the consignment was used clothing.

“I was paid the sum of N500,000 to smuggle contraband from the border to Lagos Island, but when the consignment was searched by customs officers at Gbaji checking point, it turned out to be cannabis. That was how they arrested, dismissed and transferred me to NDLEA. I am completely obsessed with the thoughts of taking care of my wife and child. I do not know what next to do,” Nwoke who hails from Enugu State, lamented.
Commending  the NCS for acting courageously and professionally, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (retd.) assured members of the public of diligent prosecution of the suspect.