I collected N500,000 to smuggle drugs — Ex-Customs officer

An ex-customs officer, Ngwoke Emmanuel, has told narcotic investigators that he collected N500,000 to smuggle cannabis from Seme to Lagos Island.

The suspect, who is being interrogated on his role in 394 kilogrammes of dried weeds that tested positive for cannabis was arrested by Customs officers at Gbaji checking point along Lagos-Badagry Expressway.

He was thereafter transferred to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for investigation. The estimated value of the drug is N4 million.

NDLEA commander at Seme Border, Udotung Essien, said, “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”.

The 39-year-old suspect, in his statement, said 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.

NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Colonel Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (retd), commended the Nigeria Customs Service for acting courageously and professionally and assured members of the public of diligent prosecution of the suspect.