The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested two Nigerians based in Europe after they allegedly swallowed 200 wraps of cocaine weighing 3.46 kilogrammes while attempting to travel from Abuja to Paris, France.
The suspects, identified as Aliocus Godian Odife and Sam Blackborn, were intercepted on October 28 during the outward clearance of Air France flight AF 832 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, disclosed the arrests in a statement issued on Sunday, saying body scans conducted on the two passengers revealed foreign objects in their stomachs.
According to the agency, Odife, who lives in France and works in a factory, arrived in Nigeria on October 21 for a short holiday. He was arrested while preparing to return to Europe.
The NDLEA said Odife admitted ingesting 110 wraps of cocaine. He was placed under observation, during which he excreted all the wraps. The recovered substances weighed 1.901 kilogrammes.
His co-traveller, Blackborn, also tested positive for ingestion during a body scan. The agency said he confessed to swallowing 90 wraps, which he subsequently excreted under observation. The recovered cocaine weighed 1.559 kilogrammes.
The combined weight of the substances recovered from both suspects was 3.46 kilogrammes, with all 200 wraps reportedly confirmed to be cocaine.
The agency said the arrests formed part of its continuing efforts to disrupt drug trafficking networks and prevent the movement of illicit substances through Nigerian airports.
NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier-General Buba Marwa (retd.), warned Nigerians living abroad against using their foreign residence as a cover for involvement in drug trafficking.
He urged members of the public to avoid criminal activities and called on law enforcement personnel to sustain efforts to identify and apprehend drug traffickers.
The suspects remain subject to investigation and possible prosecution under Nigeria’s drug control laws.
Deborah Adeyefa
