Metro
Arik: NDLEA invites brother of suspected drug courier
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency said on Saturday, that it had invited Chika Udensi, for questioning over his alleged complicity in the ongoing investigation of 20kg of cocaine seized by the United Kingdom Border Force from his brother, Uwachi Udensi, a staff of Arik Air at the Heathrow Airport.
The agency also stated that it had confiscated three cars, a Land Rover Sports Utility Vehicle, an Equinox Chevrolet and a Dodge Hemi Magnum, belonging to the main suspect.
It also revealed that it had obtained closed-circuit television footage of how the Arik Air crew member, Ikechukwu Oliver, the main accomplice, who works as a catering loader, smuggled the three bags of cocaine among food supplies.
Operatives of the NDLEA had stormed the headquarters of Arik Air in Ikeja, Lagos, on Tuesday night, following the arrest of the Arik Air crew member, in London.
The NDLEA agents had also searched Udensi’s latest Range Rover Sports Utility Vehicle parked in the airline’s premises.
Officials of the NDLEA had put the street value of the drug found with the suspect at £350,000 (N105m).
Read also: Arik staff reveals drug ring operation
The NDLEA in a statement on Saturday by Head, Public Affairs, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, the agency said narcotic investigators were still working on evidence gathered on the case so far.
The statement read in part, “Further investigation has shown that Mr. Chika, the main suspect, lives an ostentatious lifestyle far beyond his salary. He is also believed to be involved in laundering illicit proceeds of drugs under the cover of automobile importation.
“The operational tasking order issued by the NDLEA Chairman to its operatives to look inwards into the activities of the agency and other airport workers is an immediate measure to avert acts of compromise calculated to undermine airport security.”
The NDLEA also stated that the management of Arik Air was giving necessary assistance to the agency
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