By Abel Orukpe / Correspondent, Lagos
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA) Lagos has arrested three suspected drug traffickers for allegedly smuggling 14.650kg of high grade Brazilian cocaine worth N131 million.
According to the NDLEA the drugs were hidden inside female foot wears and laptop bags from Brazil through Abu Dhabi.
The NDLEA Airport Commander, Hamza Umar, who disclosed this yesterday, gave the names of the suspects as Ezenna Chinonso Joseph, Agu Ifeanyi Kingsley and Okoye Israel.
Hamza said that they were apprehended during the inward screening of passengers on an Emirates flight from Dubai, Abu Dhabi.
According to Hamza, “Ezenna Chinonso Joseph was found with 11.330kg of cocaine, Agu Ifeanyi Kingsley had in his possession 1.650kg while Okoye Israel was found with 1.670kg. The total quantity of cocaine seized from the three suspects is 14.650kg”.
The suspects will soon be charged to court.
The anti drug agency stated that the suspects during interrogation also revealed how they would have been paid the sum of N4,100,000 to smuggle cocaine by their sponsors, adding that two of the suspects, Agu Ifeanyi Kingsley and Okoye Israel who hid the cocaine inside laptop bags were promised N800,000 each.
The third suspect Ezenna Chinonso Joseph, the NDLEA boss said boarded a Qatar flight also from Dubai with 11.330kg of cocaine hidden in soles of female foot wears.
In his statement, Ezenna who is 28 years old told narcotic investigators that he was promised the sum of N2.5 million by his sponsors.
According to him, “I am married and my wife is pregnant. I used to manage a boutique until I lost everything. Out of frustration, I travelled to Brazil in search of employment. I smuggled the drugs for N2.5 million. My intention was to settle down and invest the drug proceeds in any legitimate business”.
He hails from Anambra State.
Agu Ifeanyin Kingsley, 30 years old said he lost his father and needed money for the funeral.
Confessing ,Agu who hails from Enugu State, said, “I sell clothes at Aba market. I travelled to Brazil in April 2014 because my business was almost liquidating. The few months I spent in Brazil were even worse than here in Nigeria. While in Brazil, my father died and I had no money for my flight ticket. Bringing cocaine to Nigeria was my last hope of making some money. They promised to pay me N800,000”
Okoye Israel Emeka on his part. confessed that he was also promised the sum of N800, 000 to smuggle cocaine to Nigeria.
Source : Independent