Officers of
the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Mohammed
International Airport (MMIA) Lagos have discovered cocaine hidden
inside the
boxer shorts and luggage of a passenger.
Two suspected
drug traffickers, jewellery and auto parts dealers have been apprehended in
connection with unlawful importation of narcotics.
The suspects
according to the Agency are Okonkwo Godwin, 57, an importer of jewellery found
with cocaine in his boxer shorts and Nnaemeka David Chinedu, 37, an auto parts
dealer who ingested 94 wraps of heroin.
This is one of
the largest quantities of drugs ingested by a suspect at the Lagos airport
lately.
NDLEA commander
at the Lagos airport, Ahmadu Garba said that the suspects arrived from Brazil
and Uganda with cocaine and heroin respectively.
“Two suspected
drug traffickers are currently being interrogated for illegally importing
narcotics into the country. Okonkwo Godwin was caught with one wrap of cocaine
in his boxer shorts and another inside his bag all weighing 750 grammes.
He was
arrested during the inward screening of passengers on a South African Airline
flight from Brazil while Nnaemeka David Chinedu was arrested for ingesting
ninety-four wraps of heroin weighing 1.595kg during the screening of passengers
on Rwand Airline from Uganda” Ahmadu stated.
The 57 year
old suspect, Okonkwo Godwin who hid a parcel of cocaine in his boxer shorts
told narcotic investigators that he smuggled drugs because of his numerous
financial problems.
“I am married
with two children but I am in a terrible financial crisis. I used to import
jewellery for sale at Trade Fair complex in Lagos and Onitsha main market.
Things have changed so drastically that l even finds it difficult to feed my
family.
This was what
led me into drug trafficking. l was given two wraps of cocaine; one was hidden
in my boxer shorts while the other was in my luggage. The agreement was for me
to sell the drug and share the proceeds with my partner in Brazil,” Okonkwo
stated.
Nnaemeka David
Chinedu said that he swallowed 94 wraps of heroin for 450,000 naira out of
desperation.
“I ingested
drugs for N450, 000 naira because l was desperate. This is my first time of
smuggling drugs. I have been selling auto parts in Lagos for the past 15 years
but l must admit that things are very rough with me financially. I was paid to
smuggle drugs from Uganda to make ends meet,” Nnaemeka explained.
NDLEA Chairman
and Chief Executive, Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (retd.) said that the
Agency will continue to disappoint the plans of drug traffickers who wish to
make money from drug trafficking.
In his words,
“NDLEA is working very hard to intercept drugs at all entry points and also
arrest every trafficker.
“Those who
intend to enrich themselves with proceeds of drugs will end up in detention.
The arrests so far made validate our resolve to address the problem of drug
trafficking in the country”.
The suspects
will soon be charged to court.
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