South African football coach arrested in Nigeria for drug trafficking

38 year old South African football coach, Steven Darlugar (pictured), was arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos for drug trafficking.

The married father of one was arrested during screening before boarding an Arik Air flight to South Africa. He is said to have neatly packaged the drugs which tested positive for methamphetamine in a compartment before it was discovered by officials.


When interrogated, Steven said he was promised $6,000 if he successfully trafficked the drug and that he ventured into the crime to support his family as the money he was making as a coach wasn't enough

“I am married with a child and have lived in South Africa for about a decade. I coach a team in South Africa. I have worked very hard to attain financial freedom, but have nothing in return. This is my first time of smuggling drugs. I was under financial pressure to cope with peers. A friend introduced me to drug trafficking as a way of making quick money. They promised to pay me $6,000 to take the bag containing the drugs to South Africa.”

NDLEA commander at the MMIA, Mr. Hamza Umar, said
“Steven was apprehended on his way to South Africa. He was found in possession of 1.54kg of substances that tested positive for methamphetamine. The drug was concealed in a false compartment of the suspect’s luggage.