Four drug suspects ingest 171 wraps of cocaine

THE National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) surveillance has led to the arrest of four suspected drug traffickers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos.

The arrests were recorded on the Brazil-Nigeria route, which is said to have become notorious for cocaine smuggling.

The suspects tested positive for cocaine ingestion and were placed under observation by narcotic officers until the drugs were expelled.

The NDLEA Commander at the Lagos Airport, Mr. Hamza Umar, a member of the National Institute, Kuru, Jos, said the suspects ingested 171 wraps of cocaine weighing 4.19kilogrammesg.

“The NDLEA has apprehended four suspected drug traffickers for ingesting 171 wraps of cocaine. One Ejiofor Eliezer, 46, ingested 100 wraps of cocaine weighing 2.155kg. This is the highest single ingestion since January 2015. Obah Ifeanyi Francis, 30, ingested 40 wraps weighing 740 grammes while Akpa Cornelius Sobuzochukwu, 27, ingested 26 wraps weighing 445 grammes. Another suspect, Ike Vincent Okechukwu, 36, swallowed five wraps weighing 85 grammes,” Hamza stated.

Ejiofor and Obah were caught during the screening of passengers on an Emirates flight while Sobuzochukwu and Okechukwu were nabbed during screening of passengers on Qatar airline flight.

Ejiofor Eliezer, who had lived in Brazil for two years, attributed his involvement in drug trafficking to poverty, hails from Nnewi, Anambra State.

Obah Ifeanyi said that he wanted to make quick money from cocaine trafficking but his friend disappointed him. “I am single and had been working in Brazil for two years. At present I work in a bakery and my salary is meagre. My plan was to give the drug to a friend in Dubai but he did not come to collect the drug as planned. This was how I had to come to Nigeria with the drug. I blame my friend for my arrest because I would have made 15,000 dollars from the deal,” Obah stated. He hails from Anambra State.

Sobuzochukwu, who holds a diploma in Accounting said that he was frustrated working as a cleaner with poor salary. Vincent Okechukwu said that his arrest was a mistake from him. He hails from Anambra State.

NDLEA Chairman, Alhaji Ahmadu Giade, who said that Brazil-Nigeria route remains a high risk path, has directed officers to remain vigilant at all times.
The suspects would soon be charged to court.