NDLEA saves man trafficking cannabis to China, in garri, bitter leaf from possible death penalty.

Less than two weeks after a Nigerian, 38-year-old
Chijioke Obioha, was executed in Singapore for
smuggling 2.6kgs of dried weeds that tested
positive for cannabis, officials of the NDLEA, at the
Lagos airport, have prevented Augustine Uchenna,
38, from execution in China.
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The suspect, who sells safety equipment in Lagos,
was caught attempting to smuggle 10.275kg of
cannabis to China, where drug trafficking attracts
death penalty. .
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The drug was detected during the outward
screening of passengers on an Ethiopian Airline
flight to China. The drug was hidden inside
foodstuff like garri, bitter leaf, bitter cola and other
spices.
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During interrogation, Uchenna said that he was not
aware that drug trafficking is punishable by death
in China. “My friend in China promised to pay me
N600,000 to take 10.275kgs of cannabis to China.
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This is my first time of smuggling drugs and I
never knew that drug trafficking is punishable by
death in China. I import safety equipment and I
have been going to China to buy my goods since
2011. .
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The economic recession affected my business that
I find it hard to pay my rent. This was what led me
into drug trafficking”, he stated. Augustine hails
from Enugu State and is married with three
children.