Arik Air Staff Arrested With Cocaine In London (2nd In 18 Months)

Cabin crew members of Nigeria’s foremost airline Arik Air have been arrested at the Heathrow Airport, London, for drug trafficking, the second in 18 months

The two members of the cabin crew were arrested on Monday for being in possession of dangerous drugs suspected to be cocaine and scores of packets of cigarettes.

The arrested suspects are Temitayo Olubunmi Daramola, who was found in possession of 6kg of cocaine and Delita Abibimgbi who was in possession of 60 packets of cigarettes.

UK Customs allow a maximum of 10 packets of cigarette per passenger. In November 2011, an air hostess with the airline, Ms. Chinwendu Ogbonnaya, was arrested at Heathrow Airport over an allegation of smuggling four kilograms of cocaine into the United Kingdom.

In the latest arrest, one of the aircraft of the airline had taken off from the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos to London only for the security at Heathrow to discover the illicit drugs with the two crew members.

Information gathered by our correspondent indicated that eight out of 10 crew members that travelled with the flight had been cleared while the remaining two were still being held in London.

However, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has ordered a full scale investigation into the incident.

A statement signed by the Head, Public Affairs, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, stated that the Chief Executive, Ahmadu Giade, has ordered officials of the agency to immediately commence investigation into the matter.

The statement reads in part: “We have received report of the arrest and I have ordered a full scale investigation of the incident.

“Anyone found wanting shall be brought to book as no effort shall be spared in protecting the image of our country.” The agency has also vowed to beef-up security checks at all entry and exit points in the country.

A statement signed by the image maker of the airline, Mr. Banji Ola, yesterday stated that the attention of the management of Arik Air had been drawn to the detention in UK of two of its cabin crew members in connection with alleged possession of items suspected to be banned substances.

He stated that the airline was co-operating fully with the UK authorities and all other concerned agencies in their investigations. Ola said: “Arik Air remains committed to the fight against drug and illicit substances trafficking and will not tolerate the use of any of its aircraft or crew for the courier of banned items and substances.

“Arik Air carries out very stringent checks on all members of staff and its travelling guests ahead of all flights.

It will continue to focus its attention on measures to prevent the possibility of any future similar incidents. “Arik Air is a responsible Nigerian company always seeking to maintain and uphold the integrity and proud reputation of the nation.”