Virgin Nigeria Jet in Lagos Drug bust
 

Virgin jet is stormed in drugs bust
Last updated at 14:05pm on 9th August 2007

Drug trip: A Virgin Airbus 340 was stopped from taking off in Lagos, Nigeria
A London-bound Virgin flight was dramatically stopped from taking off in Nigeria as police swooped on a drug-smuggling member of the cabin crew.

Police boarded the flight which was about to leave the capital, Lagos.

They sealed the plane, with its 318 passengers still inside, and arrested the male crew member who was allegedly trying to smuggle just under two kilograms of cocaine - with a street value of about £87,000.

The Airbus340 had already started its engines and was preparing to depart when officers of the country's National Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) stopped the man, named in Nigeria as Mohammed Ibrahim Wudil, 34, as he was about to board.

He has apparently been working with Virgin Atlantic for five years.

Investigators reportedly found 1.753kgs of cocaine concealed in a plastic bag inside hand luggage.

Officials claimed the suspect had collected the parcel for a significant fee from a Londonbased Nigerian and allege he has smuggled quantities of the drug a number of times.

The aircraft was impounded and held for the day for investigations and the flight, due to take off at 10.35am yesterday, was rescheduled to leave today.

The director general of the NDLEA, Otunba Lanre Ipinmisho, said: "The trend is becoming disturbing and the agency is determined to reverse it."

The Airbus340 had already started its engines and was preparing to depart when officers of the country's National Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) stopped the man, named in Nigeria as Mohammed Ibrahim Wudil, 34, as he was about to board.

Engines running, but he hadn't boarded yet? Clever trick! Plus, surely one of the crew would be on board BEFORE engine start??

A London-bound Virgin flight was dramatically stopped from taking off in Nigeria as police swooped on a drug-smuggling member of the cabin crew.

I thought the a/c was still at the gate?? More fantastic journalism!

Before we divert yet another thread off into the vitriolic wastelands of poor journalism, you can read ALL the related pieces regarding this story by clicking on this link. If anyone still feels the need to have a rant about this guy being arrested "as the engines were revving up for take-off" or whatever, please go and start another thread in the Jet Blast forum. :rolleyes:

Apologies Danny.

1.7Kg cocaine on Virgin flight seized
 

Ceefax are reporting Nigerian officials discovered 1.7Kg cocaine in a crew member's case on a Virgin Atlantic flight bound from Lagos to UK