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Udoh Essien, a 37-year-old Nigerian fashion specialist based in Germany, has been arrested for allegedly trafficking cocaine.

According to the
National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the suspect was nabbed at
the weekend during the screening of passengers at the Murtala Mohammed
International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

“Scanning machine
at the screening area revealed that he had ingested suspected
substances during the outward screening of British Airways passengers,”
said Mitchell Ofoyeju, spokesperson for the agency.

Mr. Ofoyeju
disclosed that the suspect allegedly excreted 75 wraps of the powdery
substances that tested positive to cocaine weighing 1.27kg while under
observation by officials of the agency.

According to the
anti-narcotics agency, Mr. Essien is said to be a rising fashion
designer of repute, who had participated in several international
fashion exhibitions, adding that the suspect has a show room in
Ogunlano drive Surulere, Lagos and another in Germany.

The suspect in a
statement from the agency, however, claimed that he wanted to use the
proceeds from the business to open an online fashion shop, and that
financial difficulties led him into the illicit trade.

“I had financial
problems and was under pressure. My intension was to close my Surulere
shop and concentrate on my shop in Germany.

I have been approached severally to traffic drugs because I travel a lot but I always turn them down,” said Mr. Essien.

Frustration with work

The suspect, who
was to earn 4,500 Euros from the deal, further said: “all I needed was
to complete my online fashion shop, because I have many products. It
was due to frustration and desperation that I agreed to smuggle drugs.”

Hamza Umar, the
anti-drug agency commander for MMIA, warned drug traffickers not to
risk smuggling drugs through the Lagos airport, saying they would be
caught.

Mr Umar disclosed
that the apprehended suspect’s claim that he is a “first offender” is
being investigated, adding that the suspect will be prosecuted
according to the demands of the law.

“The suspect will be charged to court soon,” he said.