A 62-year-old Lagos-based businessman, Nwabueze Nicholas Izueke, was arrested at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) on Saturday, January 31st, for attempting to smuggle 95 jumbo-sized wraps of cocaine, weighing a total of 1.589 kilograms, by ingesting them.
Izueke, who was en route to China via Addis Ababa on Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940, was intercepted by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) during a routine outward clearance. NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi confirmed the arrest, stating that Izueke tested positive for illicit drugs after a body scan. He was subsequently placed under observation to expel the narcotics.
“While under observation, the suspect, who claims to be involved in the clothing and auto spare parts business in Lagos, expelled a total of 95 pellets of cocaine over the course of seven excretions,” Babafemi said. The businessman allegedly admitted to trafficking drugs to fund the completion of his house in his hometown of Iwollo, Enugu state.
In a separate operation, NDLEA agents seized a large quantity of skunk (a strain of cannabis) from a makeshift warehouse at Fums Plaza in Kubwa, Federal Capital Territory (FCT). A total of 627.7 kilograms were recovered in the raid.
The agency also foiled an attempt to smuggle methamphetamine hidden in MP3 speakers from Enugu to Abuja and Kaduna. On Friday, February 6th, operatives intercepted the illegal consignment being transported by suspects Ebube Okeke, Evans Ugwu, Mohammed Eze Arinze, and Friday Michael. Babafemi reported that a follow-up operation in Zuba, FCT led to the arrest of Okeke, who was found to be in possession of 173 grams of meth. The other suspects were captured in Kaduna on Saturday, February 7th, as they attempted to collect an additional 28 grams of the drug.
“The interception of these narcotic consignments is part of the NDLEA’s ongoing efforts to prevent drug trafficking and ensure the safety of Nigerians,” Babafemi concluded.
