The NDLEA has arrested a 36-year-old food vendor (names withheld), for smuggling 685 grammes of cocaine into the country, which she inserted in her vagina.
This is contained in a statement by the Head of Public Affairs of the NDLEA, Mr Mitchell Ofoyeju, and made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Lagos.
The statement said the suspect was arrested at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos during an inward screening of passengers on an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia.
“Anti-narcotic operatives apprehended her with 685 grammes of cocaine inserted in her vagina at MMIA during an inward screening of passengers on an Ethiopian airline flight from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,’’ the statement said.
The NDLEA commander at the airport, Mr Hamza Umar, was quoted in the statement as saying that “the suspect tested positive for drug ingestion and vagina insertion.
“She, however, expelled 685 grammes of substance that tested positive for cocaine while she is still under observation at the airport,” Hamza said.
In her statement, the suspect said she was deceived into drug trafficking under the guise of importing female bags.
“I am a food vendor at Ajangbadi, Lagos and I have never been involved in crime.
“I am a victim of man’s cruelty to man. My husband abandoned me with four children two years ago.
“I work hard to pay their fees and ensure their proper upkeep. The last straw that devastated me was when the landlord forcefully ejected me.
“I had nowhere to turn to for solace. I was crying like a baby when a man came to console me.
“I have never met him in my life. He asked me to wipe my tears and promised to introduce me to importation business.
“I felt he was God sent until he sponsored my trip to Addis Ababa.
“When I got to Ethiopia, he told me to take cocaine to Nigeria. Initially, I disagreed but he threatened to recover his investment at all cost,” the suspect was quoted as saying.
Also, the NDLEA Chairman, Mr Ahmadu Giade, said that drug traffickers always changed routes and tactics.
“Going to Addis Ababa to smuggle cocaine into Nigeria is one of the tricks employed by drug trafficking syndicates.
“Cocaine is not known to come from Addis but we were able to detect it because of our vigilance.
“We are prepared to counter the activities of drug kingpins and bring them to justice. We look forward to fruitful progress in our investigation.”
He urged the public to be cautious of the tricks employed by drug syndicates, describing the suspect’s action as shameful.
The said that the suspect would soon be charged to court. (NAN)
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