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NDLEA arrests Paris-bound businessman with 111 wraps of cocaine
On May 26, 2024, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested a 48-year-old businessman, Emmanuel Okechukwu Orjinze, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) in Abuja.
Orjinze, who was bound for Paris, France, was detained after ingesting 111 wraps of cocaine, which he excreted over a three-day period while in custody.
The arrest occurred on May 21 during the outward clearance of Air France flight AF 878 from Abuja to Paris. A body scan confirmed Orjinze had ingested illicit drugs. According to Femi Babafemi, NDLEA Director of Media & Advocacy, the 111 pellets of cocaine weighed 1.603 kilograms.
Orjinze, who also claims to be a professional footballer in Europe, stated that he is involved in the maritime sector and is currently scouting for a European football club.
In a related development, NDLEA officers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos, dismantled a drug trafficking syndicate, arresting four members and seizing 8kg of methamphetamine and 7.60kg of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis imported from South Africa.
READ ALSO: Nigerian Army dismisses 4 soldiers for stabbing NDLEA official to death
The syndicate was exposed when an airport official was intercepted with a backpack containing the illicit substances.
Further investigations led to the arrest of two additional syndicate members in Ajao Estate, Lagos, and another member working within the airport system.
Additionally, NDLEA operatives at the NAHCO export shed of Lagos airport arrested Sonubi Mariam Abiodun a freight agent, attempting to export 2kg of cocaine concealed in paint buckets of shea butter to the United Kingdom on May 22.
In Ojo, Lagos, NDLEA officers apprehended Odumegwu Obijofor for producing and distributing skuchies, an illicit mixture of black currant and drugs. A total of 2,480 liters of the substance were recovered from his clandestine factory.
In Cross River state, operatives arrested Ogar Emmanuel with 2.5kg of cannabis, while 29 sacks weighing 290kg were seized from a warehouse belonging to Usani Ikpi, who is currently at large. In Katsina state, three suspects were arrested with 70kg of cannabis.
NDLEA operatives in the FCT, Abuja, conducted raids on May 23, resulting in the arrest of five suspects and the seizure of 95.01kg of cannabis and various opioids.
In Edo state, a physically challenged drug dealer, Zekere Sufianu, was arrested with 751 grams of Loud and 178 grams of tramadol.
These arrests and seizures highlight the ongoing efforts of the NDLEA to combat drug trafficking and the distribution of illicit substances across Nigeria.
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