The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested an American professional basketball player, Greene Da’monte Khiree, over his alleged involvement in the trafficking of 33.95 kilogrammes of cannabis, popularly known as Loud, from Thailand into Nigeria.
According to the agency, Khiree, 28, was arrested on November 11 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, following his arrival aboard an Emirates flight from Thailand via Dubai.
In a statement issued on Sunday, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi said the suspect attracted the attention of operatives after allegedly abandoning two checked-in bags and attempting to leave the airport with only his carry-on luggage.
He was subsequently apprehended at the airport car park.
A search of the abandoned luggage reportedly led to the discovery of 32 parcels of Loud, with 16 parcels found in each bag. The consignment weighed a total of 33.95 kilogrammes, while a tracking device was also recovered.
Babafemi said a forensic examination of the suspect’s mobile phone allegedly revealed information indicating his knowledge of and involvement in the trafficking operation.
In a separate operation, the agency also arrested a 56-year-old Nigerian, identified as Chinedu Onwude, over an alleged attempt to traffic 25.05 kilogrammes of methamphetamine concealed in assorted breakfast cereal packages imported from South Africa.
Onwude was reportedly intercepted in Ikeja, Lagos, on November 11, following the discovery of 25 parcels of a white crystalline substance concealed inside two travelling boxes.
The substance subsequently tested positive for methamphetamine, with a combined weight of 25.05 kilogrammes.
The NDLEA spokesperson disclosed that preliminary investigations revealed that Onwude had lived in South Africa for more than 24 years and allegedly operated under a stolen identity.
According to Babafemi, the suspect confessed to adopting the name Omokan Isaac Babatope after allegedly using forged documents to enter South Africa, maintaining the identity ever since.
He further alleged that a South Africa-based individual, identified as Obiora Okoye, contracted him to deliver the illicit consignment in Nigeria for a payment of R20,000.
The NDLEA said investigations into both cases are ongoing.
Source: NDLEA statement.
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