Arik Air Crew Member Arrested With Cocaine By London Police

The arrest of Mr. Chika Egwu Udensi, a crew member of Arik Air, on Monday night at Heathrow Airport, London, has been confirmed by Mr. Ola Adebanji, a spokesperson for Arik Air. He had been arrested while trying to sell questionable substances believed to be cocaine.

 

Chika Egwu Udensi

According to reports from the Vanguard, he said the crew member was apprehended by the UK Border Force for allegedly being in possession of suspected banned substance.

Adebanji, while speaking said the airline’s investigation is underway to know exactly how the crew member came about carrying the suspected banned substance.

He stressed that the airline would also be cooperating fully with the UK authorities and other appropriate agencies in their investigations.

In his words while stressing the airline’s cooperation with the UK authorities and any other appropriate agency with their investigations of the matter, he said: “The airline again reaffirms its commitment 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. The airline 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.”

This development is becoming worrisome as the recent arrest came barely two years after two crew members of the same airline were also arrested in London for the same offence.

The re occurrence of this act by Arik Air crew members has drawn the prying eyes of NDLEA to the airline. NDLEA has threatened to impose a sanction on Arik Air over the arrest of its crew member in Heathrow, London over the offence of trafficking of cocaine into the country stating that investigation has started immediately into the running of the airline.

Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, a spokesperson for the agency while issuing a media statement said:  
“The agency will carry out full scale investigation into this case to ascertain those behind the criminal act. We shall work closely with our international collaborators on the matter. Arik Airline will be sanctioned if found wanting. The agency shall invoke section 25 of the NDLEA Act against the airline, which states that it shall be the duty of every commercial carrier to take reasonable precaution to ensure that its means of transport are not used in the commission of offences under this Act. Every commercial carrier is to comply with appropriate security measures at points of entry and exit in the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other customs control areas, to prevent unauthorised cargo in its means of transportation.”

Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, in the statement issued at the time has described the issue as a national embarrassment while adding that it was investigating the allegation.