The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) yesterday
arrested a Lebanese Chef, Charbel Chalouhi, for allegedly using and dealing in
drugs at his residence on number 18, Wahab Ogunbambo Street, off Simeon Akinlonu
Crescent, Victoria Island.
According to The Nation, Chalouhi was arrested following an
intelligence report that he was involved in hard drugs. He was trailed by NDLEA
officers at the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) Lagos Command,
Ikeja.
Thereafter, he was taken to his home where 1kg of cocaine
from recovered.
“I was just walking on the street and I saw the NDLEA
officials when they came in. I saw the event. When they came, they invaded his
house, not even his house alone, they went to other houses too. But when they
got to know that he was the one, they checked him and they took him away. He
joined the NDLEA officials in their car.” a resident of the area where the
suspect lives said
Speaking further, the resident said “People in this area
have been very careful about complaining to law enforcement agencies about the
activities of drug dealers, because such people can be very dangerous. If they
get to know that you reported them, you could be harmed. People are living in
fear, so the NDLEA should save us, save Nigerian youths.”
Another witness said some Lebanese in the country were
putting pressure on the NDLEA to free Chalouhi.
“Since his arrest, different Lebanese and top politicians
have been calling the Lagos State Area Command and pressurising the
investigating officer to drop the case. Most importantly, for the security of
our Nigerian youths and the prevention of the drug trading Lebanese cartel on
the streets of Lekki, Victoria Island and Ikoyi, this case should be used to
set an example to foreigners taking over our streets with hard drugs.” the
eyewitness said
The NDLEA’s Airport Command spokesperson, Mr Ahmed Garba,
said he was not aware of the incident, but NDLEA Lagos Area Commander Aliu
Suleiman, confirmed Chalouhi’s arrest.
“We are still investigating,” Suleiman said
