NDLEA Recovers Drugs From S'Africa Football Coach

(Photo: Darlugar)

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency at the Murtala
Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, have arrested a South African
football coach, Steven Darlugar, for drug trafficking.

The 38-year-old suspect was said to have been arrested during the
screening of Arik Air passengers on board to South Africa.

It was gathered that Darlugar, who coaches a football team in South
Africa, had neatly packaged the drugs weighing 1.54 kilogrammes in a
compartment before the officials at the airport unravelled his
gimmick. The drugs, it was learnt, tested positive for
methamphetamine.

While confessing to the crime, the father of one said he took to
smuggling to augment his income, adding that he would have made a
proceed of $6,000 if he had succeeded in carrying out the crime.

"I am married with a child and have lived in South Africa for about a
decade. I coach a team in South Africa. I have worked very hard to
attain financial freedom, but have nothing in return. This is my first
time of smuggling drugs. I was under financial pressure to cope with
peers. A friend introduced me to drug trafficking as a way of making
quick money. They promised to pay me $6,000 to take the bag containing
the drugs to South Africa."

The agency's commander at the MMIA, Mr. Hamza Umar, confirmed the crime.

He said, "Dalugar was apprehended on his way to South Africa. He was
found in possession of 1.54kg of substances that tested positive for
methamphetamine. The drug was concealed in a false compartment of the
suspect's luggage."

The NDLEA Chairman, Mr. Ahmadu Giade, called on members of the public
to support the agency in its efforts to phase out drug trafficking in
the country. He added that the suspect would be charged to court at
the end of the investigation.

He said, "We have made remarkable improvement in our counter-narcotic
efforts. The agency is prepared to detect hidden drugs and prosecute
the drug barons. Members of the public should avoid drug trafficking
and report suspected cases to the agency. This way, a good measure of
drug control will be achieved in the country. The suspect will be
charged to court soon."

--PUNCH