24th April, 2022
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has foiled plans by Brazil-based drug cartels to smuggle substantial quantities of Cocaine into Nigeria through the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
The drugs were concealing the Class-A illicit substance in teabags.
A statement issued by NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi on Sunday, said at least, four traffickers involved in the attempts to import and export illicit drugs through the country last week were now in the custody of the Agency.
He said one of them is 33-year-old Pascal Ekene Okolo, an indigene of Ihe in Ogwu Local Government Area of Enugu state, who was arrested during an inward clearance of Qatar Airways flight from Sao Paulo via Doha at the arrival hall of the NAIA on Sunday 17th April.
“Okolo, who claimed to be into wine business in Brazil was arrested with a travelling bag containing different medicinal teabags, which were used to conceal 4.1kilograms of cocaine.
“Same day, a Canada based Nigerian, Anigo Christian Godspower was intercepted at the D-Arrival Hall of the MMIA, Ikeja, during an inward clearance of passengers on Qatar Airways from Sao Paolo via Doha to Lagos.
“When his luggage was searched, two blocks of Cocaine with a total weight of 2.10kg were discovered,” Babafemi said.
He added that the 52-year-old Anigo who hails from Udi local council area of Enugu State claimed he operated an unregistered Bureau De Change business before delving into the illicit drug trade.
Babafemi added that the bid by another cartel to export 950grams of Heroin concealed in the soles of lady’s footwears through the MMIA cargo shed was equally foiled by anti-narcotic officers who have so far arrested two suspects linked to the crime.
“Those arrested between 16th and 17th April in connection with attempt to export the drug to Monrovia, Liberia include: Idokoja Solomon Chukwurah and Patrick John Tochukwu,” he said.