A Canadian woman, Adrienne Munju, has been sentenced to 11 years in prison by a Federal High Court in Lagos for smuggling a large quantity of drugs into Nigeria.
The drugs, identified as Canadian Loud, are a highly potent form of synthetic cannabis.
Authorities confirmed that Munju, 41, was apprehended with 74 parcels of the drug, weighing a total of 35.20 kilograms.
This is one of the most significant drug busts by Nigerian authorities in recent months, drawing widespread attention due to the involvement of a foreign national.
Munju was arrested on October 3, 2024, at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
She had just arrived on a KLM flight and was passing through the routine clearance at Terminal 1’s ‘D’ Arrival Hall.
According to officials from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), her actions immediately raised suspicion.
Agents intercepted her luggage, and a detailed search revealed the hidden packages of Canadian Loud.
The NDLEA swiftly took her into custody for questioning.
In court, Munju pleaded guilty to the charges of drug trafficking.
Her appearance before Justice Dehinde Dipeolu took place on Wednesday, where she was handed an 11-year sentence.
The court charged Munju with two counts of drug trafficking.
For the first count, Justice Dipeolu sentenced her to six years in prison.
The second count earned her an additional five years, bringing the total to 11 years behind bars.
However, there was an option for Munju to avoid the lengthy prison term.
The court allowed her the option of paying a fine—N50 million for each count, totaling N100 million.
It remains unclear whether Munju will be able to pay the fine or serve the full sentence.
In a startling revelation, Munju disclosed how she became involved in drug trafficking.
She claimed she was recruited online, lured by the promise of fast money.
An unnamed individual had offered her 10,000 Canadian dollars to deliver the drugs to Lagos.
Munju explained that she was financially desperate and agreed to the illegal deal to fund her master’s degree program in Canada.
The desperation of her situation and the lure of quick cash led her down a dark path.
This case has sparked concern about the growing trend of people being recruited through online platforms to commit crimes.
Justice Dipeolu, in his ruling, expressed concern over the increasing cases of drug trafficking into Nigeria.
He issued a stern warning to other would-be traffickers, stating that the country would not tolerate such crimes.
“Nigeria will not be a dumping ground for illicit drugs,” the judge declared in his sentencing remarks.
He urged international travelers to stay clear of illegal activities, especially those involving the trafficking of harmful substances like synthetic cannabis.
The court’s decision sends a strong message to both local and foreign offenders.The NDLEA has been on high alert in recent months, stepping up efforts to curb drug smuggling into the country.
This arrest, involving a Canadian national, is part of a broader crackdown on international drug rings that use Nigerian airports as entry points.
Spokesperson for the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, said the agency is tightening security measures at airports and other borders.
“We are committed to fighting this menace,” Babafemi stated.
He praised the swift actions of the NDLEA officers at Murtala Muhammed International Airport and vowed to continue pursuing offenders.
The rise of drug trafficking cases has become a serious issue in Nigeria.
Over the years, the country has battled the trafficking of various drugs, including cocaine, heroin, and synthetic drugs like methamphetamine and cannabis.
Experts warn that the use of synthetic drugs like Canadian Loud is particularly dangerous due to its high potency.
The NDLEA has highlighted the health risks of these drugs, which include severe psychological effects and long-term damage.
Nigerian authorities have made it clear that they are ramping up efforts to tackle the drug crisis.
So far, there has been no official response from Canadian authorities regarding Munju’s conviction.
