The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a Nigerian man, Mr Okey Eze at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja with 350 wraps of cocaine with a street value of N2.3 billion.
The 38-year-old Eze who professed to be a tiler was nabbed on Wednesday.
A statement by Femi Babafemi, Director, Media and Advocacy said, “The 38-year-old Eze, from Orji River, in Oji-River Local Government Area of Enugu State was arrested on Wednesday, 22nd September 2021 during an inward clearance of passengers on Ethiopian airline flight number 911 en route Bamako-Addis Ababa- Abuja.
“The illicit drug weighing 7.70 kilogrammes was concealed in eight packs tucked in different parts of his luggage.
“In his confession, Eze, a resident of Bamako, Mali, said he had travelled to Mali through Seme border in Badagry, Lagos state since 2019.
“He further claimed that he came into Nigeria with the drug because he needed to raise money to take care of his late elder brother’s four children.
“The suspect also claimed he asked his friend who is resident in Brazil to assist him with some money but (the friend) declined and instead told him to pick up a bag with the drugs from a friend of his in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for a fee of N500, 000 on successful delivery to someone whose contact would be sent to him on arrival in Nigeria.
“He also said the bag containing the drugs was given to him on Wednesday morning at Addis Ababa airport.”
Chairman/ Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) commended officers at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport command for their vigilance.
