Two suspected drug traffickers have been apprehended at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, few hours to its closure, Wednesday, while attempting to smuggle 386 grammes of cocaine to Cambodia and 2.150kg of heroin from Tanzania.
NDLEA Commander at Abuja Airport, Hamisu Lawan, said 53-year-old shoe merchant, Lekwauwa Mark Otaka, was caught with 386 grammes of cocaine inserted in his anus while 57-year-old Odogwu Augustine Ike, an automobile dealer in Onitsha, excreted 110 wraps of heroin.
“Odogwu Augustine Ike was caught with 110 wraps of heroin weighing 2.150kg from Tanzania on an Ethiopian Airline flight, while Otaka was found to have inserted seven wraps of cocaine weighing 386 grammes into his anus on an Egypt Airline flight to Cambodia. Both suspects are currently under investigation,” he said.
Otaka, an Aba-based shoe merchant, told officials that he was aked to smuggle drugs for N1million.
“I was afraid of swallowing the drugs, so I chose the insertion method.
“I inserted 386 grammes of cocaine into my anus in my desperation to get N1 million promised.”
Meanwhile, Ike, a father of four who hails from Anambra state blamed his action on financial hardship to take care of his family.
According to him, he was promised N600,000 to smuggle the drug.
Chief Executive of the agency, Col. Muhammad Abdallah (rtd.),confirming their arrest said the duo were caught after they tested positive to narcotic ingestion during routine screening.
He said: “The Agency had taken measures at ensuring comprehensive examination of passengers and goods at the Kaduna Airport.
“This would help in preventing illicit movement of narcotics by drug cartels.”
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