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), Ikeja, Lagos.
The 41-year-old suspect was apprehended after arriving from São Paulo, Brazil, via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight.
According to the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, a thorough search of the suspect’s luggage uncovered 14 shirts and towels impregnated with liquid cocaine, which had been carefully dried and ironed to conceal the illicit substance.
Babafemi disclosed that the suspect had lived in Brazil for more than 14 years, where he operates an African restaurant. During interrogation, Ikechukwu reportedly told investigators that he travelled to Nigeria to visit his wife and purchase food items in bulk for his business.
The NDLEA spokesman also revealed that the agency recorded several other major seizures and arrests across the country.
Among them were the interception of 304 kilograms of skunk in Kwara State, the recovery of 1,121.5 kilograms of cannabis in Taraba State, and the seizure of 1,102 kilograms of Ghana Loud around Alaba International Market in Lagos.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers involved in the operations and urged them to sustain efforts aimed at reducing the supply and abuse of illicit drugs across the country.
