The operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have again thwarted fresh attempts by Brazil-based drug cartels to smuggle substantial quantities of cocaine into Nigeria through the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, and Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

The Class-A illicit substance was concealed in teabags by the drug dealers.

This was made known via a statement issued and made available to The Star on Sunday by the NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi.

Babafemi stated that no fewer than four traffickers involved in the attempts to import and export illicit drugs into the country last week are now in the custody of the anti-drug agency.

He added that one of the arrested suspects is a 33-year-old Pascal Ekene Okolo, an indigene of Ihe in Ogwu Local Government Area of Enugu State, who was arrested during an inward clearance of Qatar Airways flight from Sao Paulo via Doha at the arrival hall of the NAIA on Sunday, April 17, 2022.

The NDLEA spokesperson noted that Okolo, who claimed to be into wine business in Brazil, was arrested with a travelling bag containing different medicinal teabags, which were used to conceal 4.1kilograms of cocaine.

Babafemi stated that a Canada-based Nigerian, Anigo Christian Godspower, was also intercepted on April 17 at the D-Arrival Hall of the Lagos airport during an inward clearance of passengers on Qatar Airways from Sao Paolo via Doha to Lagos.

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He revealed that when the suspect’s luggage was searched, two blocks of cocaine with a total weight of 2.10kg were discovered.

“The 52-year-old Anigo who hails from Udi local council area of Enugu State claimed he operated an unregistered Bureau De Change business before delving into the illicit drug trade.

“The bid by another cartel to export 950grams of Heroin concealed in the soles of lady’s footwears through the MMIA cargo shed was equally foiled by anti-narcotic officers who have so far arrested two suspects linked to the crime.

“Those arrested between 16th and 17th April in connection with attempt to export the drug to Monrovia, Liberia include Idokoja Solomon Chukwurah and Patrick John Tochukwu,” the NDLEA spokesman stated.

Speaking on the arrests, the Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the officers of the agency for “sustaining the heat on drug cartels”.

He charged them and those in other commands across Nigeria to remain vigilant and on the offensive until the last gram of illicit drugs is taken away from the country.

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