NDLEA saves Nigerian from execution in China

Chairman/Chief Executive, Nati

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has saved a suspected Nigerian drug trafficker from execution in China.

The suspect, Salawu Shamsideen, 31, a trader in Lagos, was caught by anti-narcotics operatives at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, during the screening of passengers on Qatar Airways’ flight to China.

Two kilogrammes of substance that tested positive to methamphetamine, was allegedly recovered from his luggage.

The drug, which was concealed in the false bottom of his bag, was carefully wrapped with carbon paper.

NDLEA’s preliminary investigation gathered that the carbon paper was allegedly used to prevent scanning machines from detecting the drug.

It was gathered that the use of carbon paper was another means of giving false hope to traffickers that illicit drugs will not be detected by drug law enforcement agents at screening points.

Adebayo, who was promised $5,000 would have faced death penalty if he was caught in China.

Speaking on the arrest, the Chairman of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, described the suspect’s action as suicidal, saying he was delighted that the anti-drug agency had prevented what would have resulted in the execution of a Nigerian in a foreign country.

Gaide said, “This arrest is both exciting and significant to the agency because we have successfully prevented the shameful and untimely death of our citizen in a foreign land. Protecting the lives of citizens is delightful to us as a drug law enforcement agency, because it is one of our cardinal objectives.”

He, however, warned prospective drug traffickers to shun criminal act in their interest as well as in the interest of the nation.

Meanwhile, the NDLEA Commander at the Lagos Airport, Alhaji Hamza Umar, confirmed that the drug was detected by narcotic officers at the baggage checking desk.

He said,”The suspect was arrested following the discovery of the drug packed in a false bottom of his luggage. This was made possible by the diligence and expertise of the agency’s search experts. We hope to probe further into the case.”

The suspect, who hails from Kogi State, is a single father residing in Lagos Island.

After his arrest, he said, “I sought financial assistance and was asked to smuggle drugs. I am a petty trader at Mandilas Market, Lagos Island. I did not know that drug trafficking attracts death penalty in China. I was lured with the offer of $5,000 and a return ticket.”

NDLEA’s spokesman, Mitchell Ofoyeju, confirmed that the suspect will be charged to court soon.