Nigeria Content Online

Anti-narcotics
operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on
Thursday disclosed the discovery of 1kg cocaine hidden in sandals by a
Nigerian based in Spain.

According to the
agency, the suspect, Ezeugha Sunny, was detected on an Iberia flight at
the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos on Wednesday
attempting to smuggle the drugs to Europe.

“The cocaine was
carefully packed in two 500g parcels and neatly hidden in a pair of
sandals he was putting on at the time of screening,” said Mitchell
Ofoyeju, spokesperson for the agency.

Mr Ofoyeju
disclosed that three other suspects also tested positive to drug
ingestion, adding that two of them, Abuku Kennedy, 26, and Oparaji
Anthony, 40, live in Spain, while Tochukwu Okeke, 35, lives in
Monrovia, Liberia.

Ahmadu Giade,
chief executive of the agency said that drug barons have nowhere to
hide the illegal substance, stressing that the agency is determined to
deal with the peddlers.

“The seizure is
unique and the dedication of the officers must be commended. Drug
barons will have their drug concealment methods discovered because we
are prepared and committed to our duty of drug control,” he said.
“Regular training in both interdiction techniques and passenger
profiling is also our strength.” The suspect, who claimed to have got
the sandals from a resident in Lagos, said that after losing his job in
Europe, things became tough and he had no choice but to delve into
crime.

“I work in Spain
but I lost my job some months ago. Though I am single, it is difficult
to cope in Europe without a job. It is joblessness that led me into
drug trafficking. I needed money for my upkeep and when they told me
that the drug will be inside my sandals, I felt it was a good plan to
escape arrest but my desire did no work out,” he said.

Umar Hamza,
airport commander for the agency, said that Tochukwu Okeke, one of the
other arrested suspects, swallowed 45 pieces of narcotic substances on
his way to Liberia.

According to him, the suspect was to board an Arik flight when he tested positive to drug ingestion.

“Oparaji Anthony ingested 71 wraps while Abuku Kennedy swallowed 45 wraps,” he said.

Mr Hamza added that the suspects are still on observation to expel the drugs in their stomachs.

“The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigation is completed,” he said.