How We Smuggle Cocaine Aboard Flights - Confessions of Arik Air Staff

 

In a statement released on Thursday, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)investigators disclosed how members of staff of Arik Air airline smuggle illicit drugs aboard flights.

A catering loader at the airline, Oliver Chibuzor,  who has been arrested by NDLEA officials, confessed that they subvert airport security checks by concealing cocaine in catering supplies.

It can be recalled that a senior member of the Arik Air cabin crew‎, Chika Udensi, was arrested by UK Border Force offcials on Monday with 20 kilogrammes of cocaine with an estimated street value of N100 millionat Heathrow Airport in London.

 

The NDLEA quoted Chibuzor as telling narcotic investigators that he was introduced into the illicit drug business by Mr. Udensi.

“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 N400, 000 per bag. I was expecting N1.2 million for the three bags that I smuggled into the aircraft,” the agency quoted Chibuzor as stating during interrogation by investigators.

‎Ahmadu Giade, NDLEA’s Chairman, said he had directed that henceforth all airport workers must be extensively searched.

“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. The NDLEA will resist any act capable of undermining security at all entry and exit points,” he said.

Mr. Giade also said that‎ all catering trucks, luggage trucks, aviation fuel tankers, machines and personnel whose duty directly or indirectly relates to tarmac and flight operations would be subjected to full screening.