14th May, 2012
Creamy cocaine, weighing 9.5kg and valued at N90 million has been seized by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Lagos.
The NDLEA Monday announced the seizure at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja.
A statement by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Mitchell Ofoyeju said that this was the first time creamy cocaine would be seized in Nigeria.
The cocaine, which looks like ice cream, was smuggled into the country in four big coolers by a suspected drug trafficker.The spokesman said that the suspected trafficker was currently facing trial over unlawful importation of a kilogramme of cocaine from Brazil in 2010.
“The re-arrest of the 50-year-old man at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) has generated mixed reactions on the adequacy of the legal framework and justice dispensation in drug control,” he said.
Ofoyeju said that the suspect was on his way from Sao Paulo, Brazil, when the operatives of the agency detected the drug, following suspicion on the four giant size water coolers.“Further examination revealed the parcels of drugs after it was cut open.
Four parcels each of creamy cocaine were found to have been industrially strapped round the body of the four coolers.“In all, a total of 16 parcels weighing 9.5kg were recovered during search at the arrival hall of the airport,” Ofoyeju noted.The anti-drug spokesman pointed out that the re-arrest of persons undergoing trial for drug related charges was one of the agency’s numerous challenges.“
The suspect was first arrested on Feb. 23, 2010 for ingesting one kilogramme of cocaine and there are several cases like this,” he said.
Commenting on the arrest and drug seizure, Chairman of the NDLEA, Mr Ahmadu Giade, said that the arrest shows the extent to which drug barons can go in attempt to prevent drugs from being detected.Giade disclosed that the agency was also investigating the circumstances under which the suspect acquired new travel documents, as well as his accomplices.