A Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced Adrienne Munju, a 41-year-old Canadian woman, to 11 years in prison for importing 74 parcels of Canadian Loud, a potent synthetic cannabis strain, into Nigeria.
The contraband, weighing 35.20 kilograms, was intercepted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport during passenger clearance on a KLM flight.
Adrienne Munju was arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on October 3rd, 2024, at the airport's 'D' Arrival Hall. She admitted to being recruited through an online platform to traffic the drugs for a payment of 10,000 Canadian dollars.
In court, she pled guilty to the charges filed against her under the NDLEA Act.
This case underscores the growing issue of international drug trafficking and the use of online platforms for recruitment.
It also highlights the efforts of Nigerian authorities to combat drug-related crimes. The NDLEA's Chairman, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the officers involved in the arrest and prosecution, stating that "the prompt conviction and sentencing of the convict as well as the stiff penalty will send a strong warning to foreigners and others who may be contemplating bringing illicit drugs into Nigeria."
The court's decision included an option for Munju to pay a fine of N50 million on each of the two counts, totaling N100 million. This aspect of the sentence has sparked discussions about the judicial system's handling of foreign nationals compared to locals in similar situations.
Comments