In a significant drug bust at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), a 50-year-old Nigerian businessman has been arrested for attempting to smuggle 700 grams of cocaine into the country.
The businessman, who had been living in Brazil for 35 years, was detained by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on November 29, 2024.
Businessman Tries to Smuggle Cocaine in His Stomach
According to the NDLEA spokesman, Mr. Femi Babafemi, the suspect arrived at the E-Arrival hall of the airport after flying in from São Paulo, Brazil via Addis Ababa on an Ethiopian Airlines flight.
Upon arrival, he was subjected to routine screening, which led to the discovery of foreign objects in his stomach.
Babafemi explained that the businessman was taken for a body scan, which revealed the concealed substances.
“The result confirmed that the suspect had foreign objects concealed in his stomach,” Babafemi said.
The suspect was then placed under observation, and over the following hours, he expelled 29 wraps of substances that tested positive for cocaine.
A Business Venture Gone Wrong
In a statement, the suspect claimed he was operating an African store in Brazil, where he sold provisions, shoes, and clothes.
He told NDLEA operatives that he purchased the cocaine in São Paulo with plans to resell it in Nigeria in order to raise capital for his business.
The businessman’s scheme, however, was foiled by the vigilant NDLEA officers, who continue to crack down on drug trafficking in and out of Nigeria.
Babafemi also noted that the suspect had been living in Brazil for decades and had likely used his long-term stay to establish connections in the international drug trade.
NDLEA’s Ongoing War on Drugs
This arrest is part of the NDLEA’s broader efforts to combat drug trafficking and related criminal activities.
Just a few days earlier, on November 26, the agency intercepted two major consignments containing illicit drugs at the Lagos port.
These consignments were found to contain cocaine and pentazocine, a dangerous opioid.
“The cocaine weighing 200 grams was concealed in local fabrics, while 40 ampoules of pentazocine injection weighing 110 grams were hidden in cartons,” Babafemi stated.
The consignments were destined for the United Kingdom through a courier company in Lagos.
NDLEA’s Vigilance Pays Off
The agency’s recent success highlights its growing vigilance and its commitment to keeping the country free from illegal drugs.
The NDLEA’s operations at airports and ports are particularly crucial in intercepting drugs before they enter Nigerian communities.
“Our efforts have intensified, and we will continue to clamp down on drug trafficking networks targeting Nigeria,” Babafemi emphasized.
This latest arrest, along with the recent seizures at Lagos port, demonstrates the agency’s effectiveness in curbing the flow of illegal drugs through the country’s major gateways.
The Fight Against Drug Abuse in Nigeria
Nigeria has long struggled with drug abuse, with many young people turning to illegal substances in search of an escape from the pressures of life.
The NDLEA’s fight against drug trafficking has become even more important as Nigeria faces rising addiction rates.
With more drug shipments intercepted and traffickers being arrested, the NDLEA is sending a strong message to would-be smugglers that the country’s borders are becoming less and less porous.
The Broader Picture
This arrest also raises concerns about the growing trend of international drug trafficking to and from Nigeria.
Many traffickers use Nigeria as a transit point, bringing illicit drugs into the country for distribution or export to other nations.
As the NDLEA continues its efforts to disrupt these international trade routes, the agency’s focus remains on preventing the importation of harmful substances that could damage the health of Nigerians.