NDLEA Arrests India-Bound Businessman With Cocaine, Recovers N3.6bn Worth of Drugs
By Peace Erewunmi
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 48-year-old businessman, Nwankwo Innocent Onyebuchi, with 1.55 kilogrammes of cocaine allegedly concealed inside his luggage at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
The suspect, a Lagos-based marble dealer, was arrested at the departure hall of Terminal II while attempting to board a Qatar Airways flight to New Delhi, India.
According to the NDLEA, a search of his check-in luggage uncovered the cocaine factory-fitted into the side walls and railings of the bag.
The NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed the arrest in a statement on Sunday.
Suspect Allegedly Sold Assets to Finance Drug Deal
The agency said Onyebuchi confessed to selling his marble business and other assets to raise ₦23 million to purchase the cocaine consignment.
According to the NDLEA, the suspect intended to sell the cocaine in India for as much as ₦100 million.
The agency said he remains in custody and will face prosecution.
NDLEA Recovers More Drugs in Lagos
The airport arrest was part of a series of intelligence-led operations carried out by NDLEA operatives across several states.
In Lagos, operatives raided a warehouse in a residential compound on Hakeem Dosumu Street, Ago Palace area of Okota, between August 7 and 8.
The operation resulted in the seizure of 3,776 cartons containing 377,600 bottles of codeine-based syrup, valued at more than ₦2.6 billion.
The agency also raided the residence of a 55-year-old suspected drug kingpin, Shoremi Kayode, at Ipaja Estate, Lagos, on August 14.
During the operation, NDLEA operatives recovered 324 kilogrammes of Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis, valued at approximately ₦972 million. Two vehicles, a Mercedes-Benz and a Toyota Corolla, were also recovered.
Seizures Across Several States
The NDLEA said its recent operations also resulted in drug seizures and arrests in Kano, Kwara, Edo, Plateau, Oyo and Delta states.
The combined value of the drugs recovered in the operations was put at more than ₦3.6 billion.
The agency said the operations demonstrate its continued efforts to disrupt drug trafficking networks and prevent illicit substances from entering Nigeria or being transported across international borders.
The suspects remain in custody where applicable, with investigations and prosecution expected to follow in accordance with the law.
