Evangelist nabbed while trying to export N1.2 billion narcotics to South Africa
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has arrested an evangelist for allegedly trying to export N1.4 billion worth of narcotics to South Africa.
John Arinze, 52, reportedly concealed the drugs made of 92kgs methamphetamine and 73kgs ephedrine, inside two containers of foodstuff meant for export to South Africa at the Apapa Seaport in Lagos State.
The containers also contained hair cream, bags of melon, kegs of palm oil, beans, biscuits and sardine.
NDLEA spokesperson, Mitchell Ofoyeju, confirmed the arrest in a statement on Friday.
According to the statement, sniffer dogs belonging to the agency detected the drugs during a screening operation.
It added:
“Officers successfully traced the illicit consignment to a 52 year old man who claimed to be an evangelist by name John Vincent Arinze who was arrested in his hotel room in Lagos.
“A Mercedes Benz sport utility vehicle belonging to him was also impounded at the time of arrest.
“Arinze who had lived in South Africa for over a decade accepted ownership of the illicit shipment.
“The drugs were hidden inside packs of melon, concealed in foodstuff and cosmetics such as gaari (cassava flakes), noodles, food seasoning, yam powder, some alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, pepper, milk, herbal hair cream and cereals.”
Adding that the suspect had confessed to the crime, Ofoyeju said the suspect would be charged to court soon.
“I am an evangelist living in Durban South Africa. My late wife was into drug trafficking before she died few years ago. I made a mistake venturing into her business. It is my fault,” John Arinze is quoted to have said..
