As the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, the onslaught against traffickers continues, another major breakthrough was made recently with the interception of 9.9kg of cocaine and methamphetamine at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, and at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, respectively.
In a statement available to The Trumpet, after the arrest, the Director, Media and Advocacy of the anti-drug trafficking agency, Mr. Femi Babafemi, confirmed that 9.953kilograms of cocaine and Methamphetamine were intercepted by the agency.
Babafemi added that one of the suspects Uzoh Johnson was intercepted during a routine check by the agency on passengers from Ethiopian Airlines at the Arrival Hall of the Akanu Ibiam Airport on Wednesday, 8 December, 2021.
He said Johnson arrived in Nigeria from Brazil taking the route of Addis Ababa. He was arrested with clothes infused with cocaine having a gross weight of 6.7kg.
During the interview by narcotics officers, Johnson said, “I was given the consignment by my enabler in Brazil for which I would be paid the sum of N3 million upon successful delivery to someone in Nigeria”.
In a related incident, a 53-year-old drug trafficker, Udeh Charley, was also arrested at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, for ingesting 72 wraps of cocaine with a gross weight of1.253kilograms.
Babafemi stated that Udeh was arrested on Friday, December 3, 2021, during outward screening of Ethiopian Airlines passengers going to Rome, via Addis Ababa.
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Udey said, “I would have been paid 4,000 Euros on the successful delivery of the drugs in Italy where I have been living for more than 20 years”.
“My decision to engage in the ignominious trade is as a result of a downward turn of my business as a result of COVID-19 pandemic.’’
In another development, a 25-year-old trafficker, John Kadja, born to a Ghanian father from Kumasi, and a mother from Nsukka, Enugu State was also arrested on Friday, December 3, 2021.
Babafemi stated that the suspect was arrested with two kilograms of Methamphetamine during an outward clearance of Qatar Airways from Abuja en route to Doha.
“A search of his bag showed that the drug was concealed in a false bottom of his checked-in luggage. He said he was traveling to Doha to work as a labourer,’’ Babafemi added.
