Mr.Chika Egwu Udensi, a crew member of Arik Air, was on Monday night arrested at Heathrow Airport, London, for allegedly peddling substances, suspected to be cocaine.
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The spokesperson of Arik Air, Ola Adebanji confirmed that the crew member was arrested and further said that the airline was presently carrying out its own investigation to determine how the cabin crew member came about the suspected banned substance.
In the statement issued by Adebanji, 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.”
The arrest came less than two years after crew members of the same airline were arrested in London for the same offence.
In December 2011, a 29 years old Arik Air cabin crew, Ms. Chiwendu Uwkaoyenma, was arrested in London for drug trafficking and jailed for five years in 2012.
Also, in 2013, two staff of the airline were arrested at the Heathrow Airport for suspected drug trafficking.
NDLEA spokesman, Mitchell Ofoyeju gave the name of the suspect as Chika Egwu Udensi, an air steward with the airline. He disclosed that the agency was notified of the arrest by the National Crime Agency, NCA, of the United Kingdom.
