National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 48-year-old Paris, France-bound businessman, Emmanuel Okechukwu Orjinze, for ingesting 111 wraps of cocaine.
He excreted them after days of observation in the agency’s custody following his arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja.
Okechukwu who also claims he is a professional footballer in Europe was arrested on Tuesday, May 21, during the outward clearance of Air France flight AF 878 from Abuja to Paris, France.
After a body scan confirmed he ingested illicit drugs, he was taken into custody where he excreted a total of 111 pellets of cocaine that weighed 1.603 kilograms for three days.
NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi said the suspect claimed he does business in the maritime sector while still scouting for any European football club to engage him.
Also, NDLEA officers operating at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA Ikeja Lagos have dismantled another drug trafficking syndicate at the airport.
Babafemi said this followed the arrest of four members of the network and the seizure of a total of 8kg of methamphetamine and 7.60kg of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis imported from South Africa.
“The lid was blown off the syndicate when an official within the airport system was intercepted with a backpack and a bag at the departure hall of Terminal 1 of the airport by NDLEA officers with the support of Aviation Security officers on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.
A search of the bags led to the discovery of the illicit substances.
“A swift follow-up operation at the Ajao Estate area of Lagos led to the arrest of two other members of the syndicate: Chris Nwadozie and Chinedu Nwaosu. Further investigation led to the arrest of another member of the cartel working within the airport system on Saturday, May 25,” the NDLEA stated.
In a related development, NDLEA operatives at the NAHCO export shed of the Lagos airport have arrested a freight agent, Sonubi Mariam Abiodun over her attempt to cargo eight parcels of cocaine weighing 2kg concealed in three out of six paint buckets containing shea butter packaged for export to the United Kingdom on Wednesday, May 22.
