Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have apprehended a 29-year-old plumber, Ogu Talent Okechukwu in connection with unlawful importation of 945 grammes of cocaine.
The suspect, according to the agency, attempted to import 57 wraps of the substance he ingested from Brazil when he was caught at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos. The arrest occurred during the inward screening of passengers on an Etihad flight from Abu Dhabi.
The NDLEA Airport Commander, Hamza Umar, said: “The suspect excreted 57 wraps of powdery cocaine packed inside male condoms which were sealed with cellotape. It is a dangerous practice because many drug traffickers have died as a result of leakage in such wraps of narcotics.” He said the case was under investigation.
The suspect, who hails from Imo State, said: “I am a plumber. I am married with two children; my wife has just been delivered of our second baby. My problem was how to pay my N150,000 rent. While looking for money, I was introduced to drug trafficking. They promised me N300,000 if I could bring the drug from Brazil. My travel expenses were sponsored. While in Brazil, I was given 100 wraps of drugs to swallow, but I could only take 57 because it was my first time and it was not easy to ingest. I feel very bad now.”
NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Ahmadu Giade urged the public to avoid crime and promote societal peace, adding that the agency would continue to adopt measures aimed at frustrating the activities of drug syndicates in the country.
He vowed that drug traffickers would be diligently prosecuted and made to forfeit all their ill-gotten proceeds. “No drug trafficker shall go unpunished,” Giade warned, adding that the suspect would soon be charged to court.
