Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a Brazil-based businessman, Abugu Oliver Ikechukwu, for allegedly attempting to smuggle 6.1 kilograms of liquid cocaine into Nigeria through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
According to the NDLEA, the 41-year-old suspect was intercepted upon arrival from São Paulo, Brazil, through Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on an Ethiopian Airlines flight.
A search of his luggage reportedly uncovered 14 shirts and towels soaked in liquid cocaine, which had been dried and carefully ironed to avoid detection.
Suspect Claims He Runs Restaurant In Brazil
NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi said the suspect told investigators that he had been living in Brazil for over 14 years, where he operates an African restaurant.
He reportedly claimed he travelled to Nigeria to visit his wife and purchase food items for his business abroad.
More Drug Arrests Across Nigeria
In separate operations, the agency also arrested a 60-year-old woman, Chidimma Sunday, and a 28-year-old man, Abubakar Usman, both persons living with disabilities, over alleged drug-related offences in Abia and Rivers states.
NDLEA said Chidimma was found with 1.8 kilograms of skunk in Abia State, while Usman was arrested in Port Harcourt with various illicit substances, including skunk, methamphetamine, tramadol, diazepam, and other drugs.
Major Drug Seizures Recorded
The anti-narcotics agency also announced several large-scale drug seizures across the country.
Among them were 304 kilograms of skunk intercepted in Kwara State, 1,121.5 kilograms of cannabis recovered in Taraba State, and 1,102 kilograms of Ghana Loud seized in Lagos.
NDLEA Chairman Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.) commended officers involved in the operations and urged them to continue intensifying efforts against drug trafficking and abuse nationwide.
Source: Adapted from a statement by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
