The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has said two drug traffickers have excreted a total of 165 wraps of cocaine while under observation in its custody.
The agency also intercepted huge consignments of the illicit substances on their way to different parts of Asia and Europe.
It added that in the nationwide raids carried out by the operatives in Rivers, Ogun, and Enugu 2,293kg of various drugs were seized while N791, 100. 00, was recovered.
The suspects Elvis Uche Iro, 53, and Uwaezuoke Ikenna Christian, 42 who were arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, NAIA, Abuja, ingested the illicit substances.
The agency in a statement by its Director, Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, on Sunday, L said the alleged drug traffickers excreted the drugs while under observation in the Agency’s custody.
“The 53-year-old Elvis who is a father of four children hails from Abiriba, Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State. He was arrested on Saturday 19th March upon his arrival onboard Ethiopian Airline flight from Addis-Ababa for ingesting 65 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.376kg.”
According to him, during preliminary interrogation, the suspect claimed that he was an interior decorator but had to go into drug trafficking because he needed money to start a coffee business.
He stated that he was lured into the business Tony the temptation to take care of his family and stock his newly acquired shop with curtain materials and accessories in Lagos.
“He said he would have been paid One Thousand ($1,000) US dollars on the successful delivery of the drug in Abuja.”
His counterpart, Uwaezuoke Ikenna, Christian was also arrested on arrival for ingesting 100 pellets of cocaine with a total weight of 2.243kg.
Ikenna who hails from Ojoto, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State claimed that he is a businessman who deals in baby wears before venturing into drug trafficking.
“During the preliminary interview, he said he traveled to Addis Ababa on Thursday 17th March to buy the drug for Ten Thousand ($10,000) US dollars and returned on Saturday 19th March when he was arrested.
“He said he sold his land in his village and took loans from friends to be able to raise money to buy the drug. He claimed he had to go into drugs to raise money for his business after being duped of Fifteen Thousand ($15,000) US dollars by his friend who lives in China,” Babafemi explained.
In a related development, Narcotic Officers of the Directorate of Operation and General Investigation, DOGI, of the NDLEA, also intercepted substantial quantities of Methamphetamine, Cocaine, and Cannabis sativa packaged for export to Australia, China, Qatar, Ireland, and Thailand through some courier companies in Lagos.
“A quantity of 2.9kg of Methamphetamine in packs of black soup and toner machine heading to Australia and Qatar was intercepted; 600grams of Cocaine concealed in school certificates and file folders going to Australia and Thailand were equally seized.
“No less than 25.5kg cannabis concealed in packs of Dudu Osun soap and tins of palm fruit extracts (banga) heading to China and Ireland were also seized at a courier company in Lagos”, Babafemi added.
He stated further those 2,293.324 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs and N791, 100. 00, were recovered in major raids carried out by the operatives in Ogun, Rivers, and Enugu States last week.
According to him, Rivers State, operatives on, March 24, raided the notorious Abuja Water Front of Port Harcourt City, following information provided by arrested suspects, on their sources of supply.
He explained that a total of three suspects were apprehended in the operation and gave their names as, Larry Samuel; Mark James, and Happiness Joseph.
The drugs and cash seized from them are 339.524kg of Cannabis Sativa, Methamphetamine, and Tramadol and N791, 100.00, cash. Another drug dealer, within the area, Uduak Paul Emmanuel, is said to be at large.
He added, “In Ogun State, a 30-year-old lady, Peace Egidigbo, was arrested with 1863kg of Cannabis Sativa in Mowe, Obafemi/Owode LGA on Wednesday 23rd March, while no less than 150 blocks of cannabis weighing 90.800kg were seized from the cargo compartment of a bus owned by a transport company along Orji River via Onitsha express road, Enugu State”.
Chairman and Chief Executive, NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), in his reaction, commended the officers and men of NAIA, DOGI, Rivers, Ogun, and Enugu Commands of the Agency for their diligence and vigilance.
He charged them to always strive to raise the bar in their operational feats.