The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Cocaine

  • Auto parts dealer ‘inserts’ cocaine in anus

    Auto parts dealer ‘inserts’ cocaine in anus

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) yesterday arrested Tochukwu Nzom, 46, for allegedly inserting 225 grammes of cocaine in his anus.

    He was about boarding an Air France flight to Paris, France at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos when he was arrested. He tested positive for narcotics on being screened.

    NDLEA airport commander Hamza Umar said two others – Henry Idehen and Peter Ilemena – were caught with 915 grammes and 1.225 kilogrammes of cocaine while returning from Brazil on an Emirates flight.

    Idehen ingested 56 wraps weighing 915 grammes; Ilemena concealed 1.225 kilogrammes of cocaine. The total weight of the drugs seized from the suspects is 2.365 kilogrammes”.

    Nzom, an auto parts dealer, who hails from Anambra State is married and has two children.

    He said he would have been paid $1,500.

    “I was drinking with friends when I heard them talking about drugs. I actually volunteered to smuggle drugs because of my financial situation. They agreed to pay me $1,500 because it was only three wraps weighing 225 grammes. I am from a poor home,” Nzom said.

    Ilemena said he too requested to smuggle drugs because of financial hardship.

    “I am from Enugu State. I am married to a Brazilian woman and we have a child. I work as a salesboy in a supermarket. I overheard some of my friends discussing about drugs and I indicated interest. That was how it started. The drug was packed in a bag for me and they promised to pay me $2,500. I am so sad, disappointed and ashamed of myself,” he said.

    Idehen, who lived in Brazil for about a decade, admitted making “a costly mistake.” “I did not know what came over me. I have been a hard-working person since my childhood. My wife and three children are in Benin while I struggle in Brazil as the bread winner. My son gained admission into the university and he is very brilliant. I needed to pay for his tuition and other expenses. I would have made $12,000 from the drug deal,” he said.

    NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Ahmadu Giade said: “It is worrisome for the suspects to voluntarily smuggle drugs. This shows that they are morally bankrupt. The agency will not relent in the fight against drug trafficking,” Giade said.

  • NDLEA official held for allegedly importing 2.7kg cocaine

    NDLEA official held for allegedly importing 2.7kg cocaine

    An official with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) was Thursday arraigned before a Federal High Court in Lagos for alleged trafficking of cocaine.

    The accused, Adeogun Ogunyemi was brought before Justice Saliu Saidu, alongside one Adams Micheal a.k.a. Chidi by the NDLEA.

    They were alleged to have conspired among themselves to import 2.692 kilograms of the banned substance into the country between January and March.

    The court heard that the accused persons committed the offence at the International Mail Processing Centre, NACHO, International Airport, Ikeja.

    They were arraigned on a four count charge, bordering on drug trafficking punishable under Sections 14(b) and 11(a) of the NDLEA Act.

    However, the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges against them, prompting the NDLEA to plead that the duo be remanded in its custody pending the completion of investigation.

    His prayer was objected to by the defense counsel, Chief Benson, who told the court that the duo have been detained since March.

    After listening to the parties, Justice Saidu in a bench ruling ordered that the accused persons be remanded in NDLEA custody for seven days and adjourned the matter to May 14.

  • Four egest 171 wraps of cocaine at airport

    Four egest 171 wraps of cocaine at airport

    Four suspected traffickers have egested 171 wraps of cocaine after being placed under observation by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

    The suspects, according to NDLEA, tested positive for cocaine ingestion and were placed under observation until the drugs were expelled.

    NDLEA Lagos Airport commander Hamza Umar said the suspects swallowed 171 wraps of cocaine weighing 4.19kg.

    Umar said: “One Ejiofor Eliezer (46) ingested 100 wraps of cocaine weighing 2.155kg.  This is the highest single ingestion since January 2015. Obah Ifeanyi Francis (30) ingested 40 wraps weighing 740 grammes while Akpa Cornelus Sobuzochukwu (27) ingested 26 wraps weighing 445 grammes. Another suspect, Ike Vincent Okechukwu (36) swallowed 5 wraps weighing 85 grammes.”

    Umar said Eliezer and Francis were caught during screening of passengers on an Emirates flight; Sobuzochukwu and Okechukwu were nabbed during screening of passengers on a Qatar airline flight.

    Ejiofor, who lived in Brazil for two years, attributed his involvement in drug trafficking to poverty.

    He said: “I live in Brazil where I work in a supermarket and I am married with four children. Life in Brazil is tough because I live from hand to mouth. I have no savings, in fact it was poverty that made me to smuggle drugs. I took risk by swallowing 100 wraps of cocaine for N200, 000 because of poverty.”

    Francis, also from Anambra State, said he wanted to make quick money from cocaine trafficking but his friend disappointed him.

    “I have been working in Brazil for two years. At present, I work in a bakery and my salary is meagre. My plan was to give the drug to a friend in Dubai but he did not come to collect the drug as planned. This was how I had to come to Nigeria with the drug. I blame my friend for my arrest because I would have made 15,000 US dollars from the deal,” he said.

    Sobuzochukwu, who holds a diploma in accounting, said he was frustrated working as a cleaner with poor salary.

    “I hold a diploma in Accounting from the Institute of Management Technology, Enugu. I travelled to Brazil in search of better job but I ended up as a cleaner in a train station. My father is sick and I cannot afford return ticket to Nigeria let alone pay the hospital bill. I know I made a big mistake but I smuggled cocaine out of frustration. I would have been paid 1,500 US dollars,” he said.

    Okechukwu said he was arrested because he made a mistake.

    He said: “My arrest was a miscalculation. I thought that the five wraps of cocaine will not be detected. I regret my involvement in drug trafficking. I dropped out of school in Junior Secondary School class two and I work in a toy company in Brazil.”

     

  • NDLEA impounds cocaine in imported shoes

    Officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have discovered 2.235kg of cocaine inside soles of female shoes imported from Brazil.
    The cocaine was found at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) during search of passengers on board an Etihad flight. A suspected drug trafficker who checked-in the bags with the narcotic had been apprehended.
    NDLEA Commander at the Lagos Airport, Mr. Hamza Umar gave the name of the suspect as Mama Solomon.
    According to Hamza, “the suspect claimed to be a shoe merchant, however, during interrogation it was revealed that he only used the shoes as mode of concealing the cocaine. Mama Solomon had two bags containing female shoes and hand bags. The drug was discovered in the soles of the female shoes and he was immediately arrested”.
    During interrogation, the suspect Mama Solomon, 27 years old said that he was given the bag by a friend in Brazil to take to Nigeria.
    “I live and work in Brazil. I was given the drug with a promise that I will be handsomely rewarded if I successfully deliver the bag in Nigeria. They also assured me that somebody will help me in collecting the bags at the airport in Nigeria. Unfortunately, officers demanded to search my bag and in the process, the cocaine was found in my bag, ” the woman stated.
    The NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Ahmadu Giade said that the agency will continue to detect hidden drugs and prosecute drug traffickers. The NDLEA boss also urged members of the public not to relent their effort in reporting suspected drug dealers to the Agency.
    “This seizure will serve as a warning to drug cartels. Efforts shall be intensified to train and retrain officers on interdiction techniques and intelligence gathering in order to maintain our superiority over drug traffickers. “

  • Seized drug in Kano

    Seized drug in Kano

    Seized drugs, 19.5kg cocaine in Kano
    Seized drugs, 19.5kg cocaine in Kano
  • Food vendor inserts cocaine in private part

    Food vendor inserts cocaine in private part

    cocaine exhibits recovered from chinelo okorom
    Cocaine exhibits recovered from the suspect

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has prevented a food vendor in Lagos, Chinelo Okorom Lynnette, 36, from smuggling 685 grammes of cocaine inserted in her vaginal.

    Anti-narcotic operatives apprehended her at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos during inward screening of passengers on an Ethiopian airline flight from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
    NDLEA commander at the airport, Mr. Hamza Umar said that the suspect ingested few wraps and inserted others in her vaginal.
    “The suspect tested positive for drug ingestion and vaginal insertion. She however expelled a total of 685 grammes of substance that tested positive for cocaine while under observation at the airport” Hamza stated.
    In her statement, the suspect disclosed that she was deceived into drug trafficking under the guise of importing female bags.
     “I am a food vendor at Ajangbadi, Lagos and have never been involved in crime. I am a victim of man’s cruelty to man. My husband abandoned me with four children two years ago.
    I work hard to pay their fees and ensure their proper upkeep. The last straw that devastated me was when the landlord forcefully ejected me. I had nowhere to turn to for solace.
    I was crying like a baby when a man came to console me. I have never met him in my life. He asked me to wipe my tears and promised to introduce me to importation business.

    I felt he was God sent until he sponsored my trip to Addis Ababa. When I got to Ethiopia, he told me to take cocaine to Nigeria. Initially I disagreed but he threatened to recover his investment at all cost” the suspect stated.

    Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade said that drug traffickers always change routes and tactics.

     “Going to Addis Ababa to smuggle cocaine into Nigeria is one of the tricks employed by drug trafficking syndicates. Cocaine is not known to come from Addis but we were able to detect it because of our vigilance.
    We are prepared to counter the activities of drug kingpins and bring them to justice. We look forward to fruitful progress in our investigation” Giade stated.
    The NDLEA boss urged members of the public to be cautious of the tricks employed by drug syndicates adding that the suspect’s action is shameful.
    The suspect will soon be charged to court.

  • NDLEA arrests man for importing cocaine

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has arrested a 39-year-old man, who imported 7.45kg of cocaine valued N82 million.

    Mr Mitchell Ofoyeju, the agency’s spokesman, who made this known in a statement to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, said that the suspect was intercepted at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja.

    Ofoyeju said that the discovery was made on Oct. 12 “during inward screening of passengers on-board an Ethiopian Airline flight from Brazil.

    “The drug, which was industrially concealed inside food flasks and kitchen utensils, tested positive to cocaine and weighed 7.45kg.

    “It is estimated to cost N82 million. It is the single largest seizure recorded at the Abuja Airport since January.’’

    Ofoyeju said investigations into the case had commenced, adding that the agency’s ‘Operation End of Year Screening’ made the discovery possible.

    “The agency is prepared to counter the tricks of drug traffickers.

    “As the year is coming to an end, we have launched ‘Operation End of Year Screening’.

    “This is targeted at preventing drug cartels from carrying out their criminal acts this season,’’ he said.

    The spokesman said that the suspect would soon be charged to court

     

  • NDLEA discovers cocaine in ceramics, buttons

    Officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) yesterday discovered cocaine concealed inside ceramics meant for interior decoration and buttons.

    The discovery was made at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos when officers of the agency broke the ceramic ornaments.

    Two suspected drug traffickers, who were arrested in connection with the illegal import from Brazil, said they were involved in the shady deal because they could not resist the monetary offers made to them by their sponsors.

    The NDLEA Airport Commander, Hamza Umar, said the suspects are Ogbonna Chukwuemeka Moses, 38 and Otum Godgive Osundu, 45.

    Said he: “The suspects were found to have concealed cocaine in their luggage on their way from Brazil. Ogbonna had 1.435kg of cocaine hidden in ceramics and buttons and Otum packed 1.180kg of cocaine also in ceramics.

    They have given us useful information and investigation is in progress.”

    Ogbonna, who hails from Enugu State, lived in Brazil for two years. He said he was asked to bring samples of the ceramics and buttons to Nigeria for marketing.

    “I am married to a Brazilian woman, who is carrying my baby. I agreed to bring the drugs because I need money to take care of my expectant wife. They promised to pay me $10,000. It was a good offer and I had planned to use the money to take care of my family,” Ogbonna said.

    Otum, who lived in Brazil for five years, said he needed the money to settle down in Nigeria with his wife and four children.

    His words: “I went to Brazil in 2007 in search of greener pastures. I have tried my best, but life has been difficult. They promised to pay me N1 million and I agreed to bring the drugs. I did not imagine that I would be caught. Unfortunately, the officers broke the ceramics and found the drugs.”

    He is from Abia State.

    The Chairman/Chief Executive of the agency, Ahmadu Giade, said it is prepared to uncover the tricks barons adopt in smuggling drugs.

    “NDLEA is prepared to uncover the tricks that drug barons adopt in concealing drugs. This seizure will serve as a warning to the cartels that they are running out of tricks,” Giade added.

    The suspects will soon be charged to court.

  • Sunny Ade’s ex-guitarist jailed for cocaine trafficking

    Sunny Ade’s ex-guitarist jailed for cocaine trafficking

    A  Federal High Court sitting in Lagos yesterday sentenced a veteran guitarist, Abiodun Fatoke (62), to three years imprisonment for drug trafficking.

    Fatoke, who played the guitar for Juju musician King Sunny Ade for three decades, was arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on January 1 at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, while attempting to board an Air France flight to Italy.

    Two parcels of cocaine, weighing 1.575kg, were found in his luggage.

    Fatoke, who has three wives and 12 children, pleaded guilty to the charge.

    Justice S. Seidu sentenced him to three years imprisonment with effect from the date of arrest.

    Blaming his involvement in trafficking on financial hardship, Fatoke said: “After my primary education, I spent one year in secondary school before I went into music. I can play any kind of guitar but my music career is a sad story. I played for King Sunny Ade for 30 years before I was unceremoniously retired in 2007.

    “I was unprepared and without severance money, I saw the bitter side of life. This is my first time of involving in drug trafficking. I did it out of frustration because at my age, I cannot provide for my family. I am ashamed of myself.”

    On how he got involved in drug trafficking, Fatoke said: “I live in Ibadan with my family. I got a call from a friend and was invited to Lagos, where I was given N50,000 and they said arrangements would be made for me to travel soon.

    “They promised to pay me N1 million. If not for my condition, I would have turned down the offer, but it was my last hope to be free from financial difficulty.

    “I was given the bag and my ticket, but at the airport, NDLEA officials detected the drug. Since then, I have been in deep pains. I feel bad because I have no one to help me.”

    NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Ahmadu Giade called for stiffer penalties for drug offenders.

    Giade said: “Punishment must be commensurate to the crime to deter others. The drug is worth several millions of naira and the damage to humanity cannot be quantified”.

     

  • Woman, 65, held for cocaine trafficking

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), yesterday arrested a 65-year-old grandmother, Hassan Fatimat Abike also known as Chika Okoye, for allegedly trying to smuggle 1.740Kilogramms of substance suspected to be cocaine on board of British Airways flight to London, in a herbal syrup.

    According to a statement, she was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, while attempting to board a British Airways flight by NDLEA, it was not the first time the suspect was travelling to London. The drug, the agency said, was cleverly packed in balloons and inserted in 10 plastic containers of herbal syrup.

    According to the Airport Commander, Mr. Hamza Umar, the suspect has two international passports bearing Hassan Fatimat Abike with passport numbers A03348648 and A3771781A.

    “She was caught during the screening of British Airways passengers to London. The cocaine found in her possession was packed in balloons and prepared into the shape of the plastic bottles. It was also wrapped in black polythene inside 10 plastic bottles of local herbal mixtures. Each bottle was neatly sealed to avoid suspicion,” Hamza said.

    Preliminary investigation, according to Hamza, revealed that she is also known as Chika Okoye. He said: “She speaks Ibo and Yoruba fluently. Her father is a native of Abeokuta, Ogun State while her mother hails from Owerri, Imo State. Hassan Fatimat Abike also known as Chika Okoye, has six children and many grandchildren. She currently lives alone in Owerri and sells clothes to earn a living. The drug found in her bag tested positive for cocaine and weighed 1.740kg.”

    In her statement, the suspect claimed ownership of the drug, saying that it was given to her by a friend. She said: “I live at Owerri alone because my children are grown up and now have their families. I sell clothes to take care of myself. I met an old friend two weeks ago and during our discussion, I told him I will soon be travelling to London.

    “He asked me to deliver some herbal medicine to his sick relative in London. I was only trying to assist an old friend. I blame myself for everything, because I should have turned down his request. The drug was detected during a search at the airport.”

    Chairman, Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, said the agency is investigating her claim. “The case is under investigation to ascertain her role. This is very worrisome, considering the fact that she is a grandmother,” Giade stated.