Pubdate: Mon, 12 Nov 2007
Source: Tide, The (Nigeria)
Copyright: 2007 The Tide
Contact:  http://www.thetidenews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3973

NDLEA WARNS INTENDING PILGRIMS AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKING

As this year's pilgrimage to Mecca draws near, the  National Drug Law 
Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has  advised pilgrims not to hide under 
the cover of the  exercise to engage in drug trafficking.

Mr Mohammed Jibrin, the NDLEA Commander at the Malam  Aminu Kano 
International Airport, was quoted as  describing drug trafficking in 
Saudi Arabia as  suicidal, as it carries death penalty.

This is contained in a statement by the Public Affairs  Officer of 
the NDLEA, Mr Mitchel Ofoyeju.

The warning came on the heels of the arrest of one  Sheni Kareem 
Mohammed, at the airport on his way to  Saudi Arabia for Umrah 
(lesser Hajj), in October.

According to the statement, the suspect, Sheni, was  arrested on 
October 10, during the screening of  passengers travelling to Saudi 
Arabia for the lesser  Hajj aboard Kabo flight from Kano to Jeddah.

It stated that Sheni was found to be in possession of  62 wraps of 
substances which was later discovered to be  cocaine weighing one 
kilogramme concealed in his  underpants.

The intending pilgrim, the statement said, was also  found to be 
travelling with a fake passport bearing  Mohammed Abdulrahman.

The statement added that investigation revealed that  Sheni ingested 
the drugs but due to the rescheduling of  the flight, he excreted it 
and decided to hide it in  his underpants.

According to the statement, Sheni will soon be  prosecuted along with 
one of his accomplices, also  arrested.

Ofoyeju's statement came as the Federal Airport  Authority of Nigeria 
(FAAN) is concluding arrangements  for the airlift of pilgrims from 
the Lagos zone.

The airlift is expected to begin on November 22.

FAAN's Terminal Manager, Hajj and Cargo, Mr John  Omaghomi, told 
newsmen, that preparations were in top  gear to ensure smooth 
operations at the terminal.

He said that security was also being scaled up to  ensure safety of 
pilgrims and avoid any security  breach.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman