The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on Friday arrested two suspected drug traffickers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
This was contained in a statement issued by Mitchell Ofoyeju, the NDLEA spokesperson.
The statement said the suspects imported 252 wraps of cocaine weighing 4.325kg into the country from Dubai.
It stated that Chinweuba Echezona, 54, packed 103 wraps of cocaine on his waist and ingested 69 wraps weighing 2.745kgs.
It said: “The other suspect is Ekwueme Louis, 44, who concealed 75 wraps in his luggage and ingested five wraps.
“The suspects were found to have ingested and stuffed wraps of cocaine on their bodies and luggage during screening of passengers on an Emirates flight from Dubai.
“Both suspects ingested some wraps of drugs and concealed others on their bodies.
“The estimated value of the drug is N39,000,000.”
The statement also quoted the NDLEA Commander at the airport, Ahmed Garba, as saying: “Both suspects are under investigation.
“We are investigating the suspects over unlawful importation of cocaine from Dubai.
“Preliminary investigation by the agency revealed that the suspects were promised half a million Naira each to smuggle the drugs from Dubai to Nigeria.
“Their trip was fully sponsored by an unidentified drug trafficking organisation.
“However, efforts are ongoing to trace and arrest their sponsors.”
The statement also said the Chairman of the agency, Muhammad Abdallah, ordered speedy investigation of the cases.
Abdallah vowed that drug traffickers would hit brick wall at all the country’s exit points.
He said: “Let me assure members of the public that the NDLEA has taken measures to fortify the exit points in the country.
“Drug traffickers will find it difficult to break through our security barriers.
“The ultimate objective is to have a society that is free from illicit drug production, trafficking and abuse.
“This arrest is being investigated and we hope to trace other persons linked to the crime.
“The suspects will soon be charged to court.”
