By Adedapo Adesanya
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted an alleged drug kingpin, Mr Ibeh Ejike, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) Abuja for ingesting 87 wraps of cocaine.
The NDLEA spokesperson, Mr Femi Babafemi, said this in a statement that the 41-year-old suspect was arrested on Wednesday, August 25, upon his arrival on board an Ethiopian Airline flight 911 from Kigali, Rwanda via Addis Ababa in Ethiopia.
He said the accused person was taken in for a secondary check during which he tested positive for ingestion of the illicit substances.
“While under observation, he allegedly excreted 87 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.884 kilograms.
“Ibeh, who imports clothes for sale, hails from Owerrizikeala village in Orumba Local Government Area of Anambra State,” Mr Babafemi said.
In the same vein, a Lagos-based man, Mr Eze Okorie, has been arrested following the interception of 4.15 kilograms of methamphetamine consignment going to London, the United Kingdom.
Mr Babafemi said the drug was intercepted at the Nigeria Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja, on August 13.
He said the drug was concealed in tins of tomato branded sunripe and packaged for the driver of a freight forwarding company to deliver at the airport export shed for onward movement to the UK.
“Though the freight company’s driver was initially arrested, follow up investigations and subsequent sting operation led to the arrest of the kingpin behind the consignment.
“Okorie was arrested at his Coker, Surulere, Lagos, home on Wednesday, August 25. He hails from Isu village in Onicha LGA, Ebonyi state,” said Mr Babafemi.
Meanwhile, he said the raid of drug joints continued across the states in the last week and that one Anietie Attauba was arrested at Idundu community, Cross River state with 9.9 grams of cocaine.
He added that a 23-year-old Joy Odey was picked up in Nassarawa Bakoko Area of Calabar Municipality LGA on Friday, August 27 with 500 grams of skunk.
“On the same day, one Ugwuanyi Basil was arrested at AK Divine Park, Harbour Road, Calabar with 2.6kg of cannabis; 10.33grams of cocaine and 30ml of swinol,” he said.
The NDLEA spokesperson said operatives of the FCT Command of the agency also intercepted a Hiace bus conveying bags of cannabis and 30 parcels of skunk.
This, he said, was cumulatively weighing 310 kilograms along Abaji-Gwagwalada expressway, where another 32 kilogrammes of tramadol was equally seized on the same day.
“In Anambra State, operatives also raided the Onitsha main market, Marine Line on Thursday, August 26, with the support of soldiers.
“Recovered during the raid were: 50kg of cannabis; 150grams of meth and 27.6grams of cocaine. One of the dealers, Moses Obiahu was arrested,” he said.
Modupe Gbadeyanka