OPERATIVES of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested two pregnant women, a barber, among other drug traffickers, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos for attempting to import and export illicit drugs through the airport in the last week.
The first suspect is a Brazilian returnee, Nworie Phillip Chikwendu who was arrested on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, during an inward clearance of passengers on a Qatar Airways flight from Sao Paulo, Brazil en route from Doha to Lagos.
During a thorough search of his luggage, two parcels of cocaine were discovered concealed in a pair of brown slippers hidden in his oxblood backpack.
A statement by Femi Babafemi, Director of Media and Advocacy reads, “A further search of the pair of black slippers worn by the suspect also led to the recovery of additional two parcels of cocaine built into the soles of his footwear, bringing the total to four parcels weighing 800grams.
“When undergoing a preliminary interview, Nworie who claimed to be a barber in Sao Paulo, said he came to Nigeria for the burial of his father.
“He confessed he decided to get into the criminal act because his trip was sponsored by his Brazil-based friend who gave him the drug to deliver in Lagos for a fee of #2, 000, 000.
On Wednesday, May 4, 2022, the NDLEA operatives at the SAHCO export shed of the airport also intercepted some cartons of alcoholic drinks suspected to contain illicit drugs.
A freight agent who brought the consignment for export to Dubai, Shola Ogunrinde was immediately arrested while a follow-up operation led to the arrest of a pregnant woman, Mrs Seun Babatunde, who operates an alcohol joint in the Pleasure area of Iyana-Ipaja.
When the cartons were opened in the presence of the agent and the pregnant owner, seven parcels of cannabis and a sachet of ecstasy drug (MDMA) were found concealed inside cans of black bullet alcoholic drinks.
In her confession, Mrs Babatunde claimed the drugs were being sent to her husband who lives in Dubai.
The second pregnant woman, Mrs Gloria Asibor was arrested on Thursday, May 5, 2022, while attempting to board a Turkish Airline flight to Bolonia, Spain via Istanbul, Turkey.
A search of her luggage containing food items led to the discovery of 300 tablets of 200mg and 225mg high dosage Tramadol concealed in crayfish.
