Pubdate: Mon, 07 Jul 2008
Source: Nigerian Tribune (Nigeria)
Copyright: 2008 African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc.
Contact:  http://www.tribune.com.ng/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4188

STIFFER PENALTY FOR DRUG OFFENCES GOOD FOR NIGERIA -  NDLEA BOSS

The Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law  Enforcement 
Agency (NDLEA), Ahmadu Giade, has  reiterated his call for stiffer 
penalty for drug  culprits.

Giade made the call on Sunday at the Murtala Mohammed  International 
Airport (MMIA), Lagos, during a routine  visit as three suspected 
drug traffickers, including a  19-year-old man, were arrested for 
ingesting illicit  drugs by the airport command the previous week 
were  placed on observation.

The NDLEA boss said the involvement of anybody in drug  trafficking 
could smear the image of the country  because "we all carry the same passport."

He, therefore, reaffirmed his call for adequate  punishment of 
offenders of the illicit trade. "Fifteen  years minimum sentence for 
unlawful possession as  prescribed by the NDLEA Act, no doubt, will 
serve as a  deterrent to others who may be tempted to deal in 
narcotics and psychotropic substances and also help to  enhance the 
image of the country" Giade stated.

According to the NDLEA Airport Commander, Mr. Victor  Cole-Showers, 
the three suspects are Momoh Kingsley,  19; Amakwe Ogbonna Jeef, 29 
and Ojiah Emeka Patrick,  22.

Momoh Kingsley, he said, was arrested on July 4, 2008  for ingesting 
77 wraps of substances that proved  positive for cocaine as well as 
inserting three wraps  in his anus.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart