The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has apprehended an Arik Air staff, Ikechukwu Chibuzor Oliver, over his alleged role in the trafficking of cocaine seized by United Kingdom Border Force at Heathrow Airport, London, on Monday.
Oliver, 35, who works as a catering loader, was found to have subverted airport security by concealing cocaine in catering supplies.
Preliminary investigation revealed that both Oliver and Chika Egwu Udensi, who was arrested in London on Monday, were infiltrated by a suspected drug cartel.
Oliver told narcotic investigators that he was invited into illicit drug deal by Udensi.
“It was Chika (Udensi) that introduced me into the drug deal. Whenever Chika gives me the drug, I will hide it in catering supplies. Chika knows where to collect the drug inside the flight. They pay me four hundred thousand naira (N400,000) per bag.
“I was expecting 1.2 million naira for the three bags that I smuggled into the aircraft,” Oliver stated.
He hails from Isialagwa North local government area in Abia State. The graduate of Business Administration was employed by Arik Air in 2009.
Meanwhile, the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Ahmadu Giade has directed that henceforth all airport workers must be extensively screened.
“The agency has taken drastic measures to avert infiltration of airport workers by criminal syndicates. Airline officials and airport workers shall be subjected to comprehensive search,” he stated.
Nation
