Uganda Cranes and Bright Stars FC youngster Onek Alfred who played for Acholi Province during FUFA Drum , a tournament organized by Federation of Uganda Football Association (FUFA) have been arrested by the Indian Law Enforcement Agents after he allegedly trafficked cocaine in the country.
According to this Henry Oryem Okello , a Ugandan lawyer and politician serving as the current State Minister for Foreign Affairs (International Affairs) believed Onek is not a Cocaine user and stressed that people who facilitated his travels Aretha be blame. " Onek is a good boy and by a look at him he is innocent, doesn't look like a drug addicts or dealer. I call upon friends and families of Onek to solicit for money so that they get for him a lawyer before ultimatum expires because Indian government might imprisoned or sentenced him to death penalty." Okello Oryem said via phone call.
According to local musician turned politician , Mr. Otim William alias Lucky Bosmic Otim via his YouTube channel, Onek was arrested at an Indian airport after the security agency signalled that he had imported narcotic drugs in the country. He went ahead and revealed that the footballer was flown out of the country (India) to smuggle Cocaine by one of the known Acholi legislators whom he didn't disclose his name.
Onek Alfred is now the first Acholi footballer to be arrested in drug smuggling cases in India after a tough crackdown on the vice.
Bosmic Otim explained that Onek might be sentenced for life if something is not done as quickly as possible because that is how India law states.
The letter according to high commissioner of Customs (India) reads,
"It is informed that one ( 01) passenger namely Mr. Alfred Onek (D.O.B- 03.09.1998) (here in referred as Pax), S/o Komakech Patrick, R/o Kamapala, Banda, Nakava Division, Uganda (as told by the pax), holder of Republic of Uganda Passport No. A00751232 issued on 10.06.2022 & having date of expiry 09.06.2032, arrived on 14.12.2023 at Terminal-3, IGI Airport, New Delhi by Flight No. ET 686 dated 13.12.2023 from Addis Ababa, has been arrested by this office under provisions of NDPS Act, 1985 on 27.12.2023, in connection with seizure of 1186 grams of white coloured crystal substance suspected to be 'Cocaine', recovered from his possession, at IGI Airport, New Delhi. It is requested to inform the family of the concerned person regarding his arrest at the earliest.
It is also requested to confirm the authenticity of the said Passport number with intimation to this office. (Copy of passport enclosed)."
According to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance Act, 1985, of India, a person convicted for importing narcotic drugs and Psychotropic Substances is liable to imprisonment for a term not below 10 years, but which may extend to 20 years, and shall also be liable to fine which shall not be less than one lakh Rupees ($1,284), but which may extend to two lakh Rupees ($2,568).
An athlete caught with cocaine at the airport or any foreign country can be suspended from their team, any football activities by Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) and faced legal consequences. Despite the setback, an athlete when determined to turn their life around can work towards rebuilding their reputation. They sought help from a rehabilitation program and begin to focus on their physical and mental health.
With the support of their family and friends, the athlete can be able to overcome their addiction incase he or she is addicted to drugs and eventually return to their sport, proving that it is possible to overcome adversity and achieve success.
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