The NDLEA has arrested a Lagos-based marble dealer allegedly caught with 1.55kg of cocaine at the airport, with investigators saying he sold his business and other assets to raise ₦23 million for the consignment.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 48-year-old businessman, Nwankwo Onyebuchi, with 1.550kg of cocaine concealed inside the walls and railings of his luggage at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
The NDLEA Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, saying the suspect was arrested at the departure hall of Terminal II while attempting to board a Qatar Airways flight to New Delhi, India.
According to Babafemi, a search of Onyebuchi’s check-in luggage revealed the cocaine, which had been factory-fitted into the walls and railings of the bag.
The suspect, who deals in marbles in Lagos, reportedly told investigators that he sold his business and other assets to raise N23 million to purchase the consignment, which he hoped to sell in India for as much as N100 million.
“In a candid confession that lays bare the desperation that fuels the drug trade, Nwankwo said he had sold off his marble business and every asset he owned to raise the ₦23 million he paid for the consignment, with the expectation of selling it in India for as much as N100 million.”
Babafemi said the suspect remained in custody pending prosecution.
N2.6bn Codeine Shipment Seized In Lagos
In a separate operation, NDLEA operatives acting on intelligence raided a warehouse inside a residential compound at 20 Hakeem Dosumu Street, Ago Palace area of Okota, Lagos.
The operation, conducted between August 7 and 8, led to the seizure of 3,776 cartons containing 377,600 bottles of codeine-based syrup, valued at more than N2.6 billion.
The agency also said operatives raided the residence of a 55-year-old alleged drug kingpin, Shoremi Kayode, at 37 Ogundare Street, Ipaja Estate, Ipaja, Lagos.
The raid resulted in the recovery of 324kg of Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis, with an estimated street value of N972 million. A Mercedes-Benz and a Toyota Corolla were also recovered.
was arrested during a raid on drug joints in the Oluku area of Benin City on August 14. Operatives recovered 25.857kg of Loud and 93g of methamphetamine from him.
The agency said its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy activities also continued during the week, with sensitisation lectures held for students and staff of Madarasatu Sheikh Muhammad Rabi’u Arabic School in Kano and Olomu Junior Secondary School in Ajah, Lagos State.
The NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended personnel of the MMIA, Lagos, Kano, Kwara, Edo, Plateau, Oyo and Delta commands for the arrests and seizures.
Marwa also praised personnel across the agency for maintaining what he described as a balance between drug supply reduction and demand reduction efforts.
