The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, has revealed how operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) connived with transnational drug barons to evade arrest at the nation’s airports.

IGP Baba on Monday said that Police investigation has established that the international narcotics cartel has strong ties with some officers of the NDLEA at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu who are on their payroll.

The mode of operations of the transnational drug barons, according to him, is to conspire with the NDLEA officers on duty and send them their pre-boarding photographs for identification, seamless clearance, and unhindered passage out of the airport with the narcotics being trafficked.

He spoke against the backdrop of the arrest of DCP Abba Kyari and four other police officers for their involvement in tampering with exhibits in a case of illicit drug trafficking involving a perpetual transnational drug cartel.

His words: “The interim investigations report revealed that two international drug couriers identified as Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus, both males, were arrested at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu on the 19th of January, 2022 upon their arrival from Addis Ababa aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight ET917. 

“The arrest led to the recovery of substantial quantity of powdery substance suspected to be cocaine from the two narcotic couriers. The operation which was intelligence-driven, was undertaken by a Unit of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT).

“Although the case and the two suspects were subsequently transferred to the NDLEA on the 25th January, 2022, the findings of the in-house investigation ordered by the Inspector General of Police established reasonable grounds for strong suspicion that the IRT officers involved in the operation could have been involved in some underhand and unprofessional dealings as well as official corruption which compromised ethical standards in their dealings with the suspects and exhibits recovered.

“Beyond this, the Police investigation also established that the international narcotics cartel involved in this case have strong ties with some officers of the NDLEA at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu who are on their pay roll.

“The two arrested drug couriers confirmed that the modus is for the transnational drug barons to conspire with the NDLEA officers on duty and send them their pre-boarding photographs for identification, seamless clearance, and unhindered passage out of the airport with the narcotics being trafficked.

“The two arrested drug couriers also confirmed that they have been enjoying this relationship with the NDLEA officers at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport since 2021 and had in this instant case of 19th January, 2022, been identified and cleared by the NDLEA officers as customary, having received their pre-departure photographs and other details prior to their arrival in Enugu, and were on their way out with the narcotics when they were apprehended by the Police.”

Meanwhile, the IGP, according to Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, has formally requested that the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, should ensure the identification, arrest and investigation of the Agency’s officers who have also been found to be colluding with the international drug cartel involved in this case towards advancing the anti-narcotics agenda of the federal Government.

Kyari was on Monday arrested along with ACP Sunday Ubuah, ASP Bawa James, Inspr. Simon Agrigba and John Nuhu. ASP John Umoru is at large.

They have all been handed over to the NDLEA.

TheStar