NDLEA intercepts N57m worth of crack cocaine in tins

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 7.576kg of white cocaine and 3.885kg of crack cocaine being smuggled from Brazil.

The total weight of the drug is 11.461kg with an estimated street value of N57 million.

Anti-narcotic officers have also arrested five suspected drug traffickers in connection with the seized drugs. Unlike the white cocaine, seizures of crack cocaine are not common in the country.

The airport commander, Hamza Umar, who disclosed that different methods were adopted in concealing the drugs, said: “One of the suspects, Omoluonye Izuchukwu Simon was caught with both white and crack cocaine in tins weighing 7.785kg. The crack cocaine weighed 3.885kg while the white weighed 3.900kg.

“Akubueze Kyrian Nonso, 28 years old, had 1.110kg by the side of his luggage while Obidike Onodyer, 40 years old ingested 11 wraps of cocaine weighing 0.485 grammes. Others are Onyeabor Maduabuchukwu Friday, 35 years old, found with 74 wraps weighing 1.256kg, and Ifoh Emma, 37 years old, was caught with 34 wraps weighing 0.710 grammes”.

The commander added that apart from Onyeabor Maduabuchukwu Friday, who hails from Enugu State, other suspects are from Anambra State.

28 years old Omeluonye Izuchukwu Simeon, who was caught with drugs hidden in tins, said he wanted to invest the N1 million they promised him in business, saying: “I suffered untold pain while in Brazil. I agreed to smuggle drugs because I wanted to settle down and further my studies. I have a diploma in Mechanical Engineering. I feel very bad,” Omeluonye said.

Akubueze Kyrian Nonso said that a friend gave him the bag containing cocaine. “I am a 2009 graduate of Economics, but I have no job. I left Nigeria to Brazil in search of job opportunities. My condition of living in Brazil was worse than when I was in Nigeria. It was my friend that gave me the bag containing drugs,” he told investigators.

Obidike Onodyer said that he was paid N200,000 because he could only ingest 11 wraps of drugs.

“Drug trafficking was my last option to free myself from the hash condition of living in Brazil. Unfortunately, I could only swallow 11 wraps so I was paid N200,000,” he stated.

Onyeabor Maduabuchukwu Friday, who said that his partner, confessed, disappointed him: “I am disappointed and angry with my partner who was to collect the drug from me while on transit in Dubai. I had no choice but to come to Nigeria with the drugs when he failed to show up. I worked as a receptionist in Brazil to sustain myself. I had wanted to sell the drugs and use the proceeds to set up a business and prepare for marriage.” He hails from Enugu.

Ifoh Emma was also full of regrets as he narrates what made him to get involved in drug trafficking saying: “I am a barber and I have lived in Brazil for two years. I am married with two children. My only regret is the decision to travel to Brazil. It was the condition I found myself that made me to smuggle drugs. I was better doing business in Nigeria. I would not have smuggled drugs if I had not travelled to Brazil”.

The chairman/chief executive of NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade called on members of the public to shun drug trafficking and engage in legitimate business ventures. He however said the suspects will soon be charged to court.