By IBIRONKE ARIYO

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a Brazil based Nigerian businessman at the arrival hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja-Lagos for drug trafficking.

A statement by the Director, Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi on Sunday in Abuja stated that the parcels of cocaine were concealed in his private part and soles of his footwear.

Babafemi said that the suspect was arrested on Thursday during the inward clearance of South African Airways flight passengers arriving from Brazil via Johannesburg following processed intelligence.

He said that when the 47-year-old suspect was taken for full body scan, the result confirmed illicit drug concealment.

“As a result, he was subjected to a strip search, during which a big parcel of white powdery substance, which later tested positive for cocaine, was discovered wrapped around his right thigh.

“A further search revealed two additional wraps of the same substance concealed in the sole of a pair of flat shoes worn by the suspect.

“In all, three large wraps of cocaine, with a gross weight of 1.60 kilograms, were recovered from his body and footwear,” he said.

Babafemi said that during a preliminary interview, the suspect revealed he purchased the illicit drug consignment in Brazil with the intention to resell the cocaine in Nigeria.

This, he said, was is in order for the suspect to raise capital to boost his business and also finance the naming ceremony of his newly born child.

“The suspect who lives in Rua Ever, Mulariuha, São Paulo, claimed that he has been living in Brazil since 2008 while he has been operating a toy business for about nine years,” he said.

Meanwhile, at the Tincan Seaport in Lagos, a total of 55 jumbo bags of Canadian Loud, a strong strain of cannabis with a gross weight of 1,183 kilograms was seized by NDLEA operatives.

Babafemi said that the imported drugs was from Montreal, Canada in a container and the was discovered on Wednesday during a joint examination of the shipment by NDLEA officers, Customs and other security agencies.

“The illicit consignments were hidden inside two vehicles: a Hyundai SUV and a Toyota Matrix car,” he said.

Across all Commands and formations of the Agency nationwide, NDLEA officers continued their War Against Drug Abuse, (WADA), sensitisation activities in schools, worship centres, work places and communities, among others in the past week.

These included: WADA enlightenment lecture to students and staff of Government Day Junior Secondary School, Jaji Maji, Yobe; Boys Technical College, Aba, Abia; Government Technical and Vocational College, Obollo Orie, Enugu.

Also, St. John’s R.C.M Primary School, Odomola Eredo, Epe, Lagos; Yandaki Primary School, Kaita, Katsina and Seed of Life College, Ibadan, Oyo state, among others. (NAN)

Update news