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The Nationwide Drug Regulation Enforcement Company (NDLEA) has foiled an try by a Nigerian, Okorie Cyprian Raymond, to smuggle cocaine into the nation.
Okorie was apprehended on the Nnamdi Azikiwe Worldwide Airport, Abuja, throughout the inward clearance of Ethiopian Airline flight 911 from Sao Paulo, Brazil en-route Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
In an announcement on Thursday, Jonah Achema, NDLEA spokesman, stated the drug 12.05 kilograms drug was packed in drink sachets of pineapple, lemon flavour, and hid in a suitcase.
The suspect had collected his baggage upon arrival and proceeded to NDLEA screening level the place it was detected that one among his baggage was stuffed.
Raymond confessed that the drug was given to him by one Uche whom he met in Church in Brazil about three months in the past by way of a buddy.
Okorie, 38, stated Uche overheard him converse together with his buddy about his impending journey to Nigeria.
“I really didn’t have data of what’s within the bag. Oga Uche introduced the suitcase to me on the airport simply an hour earlier than the flight take-off. This brief interval didn’t give me the chance to scrutinize the bag”, he claimed.
The varsity certificates holder has been a resident of Sao Paulo since 2015 the place he labored as a technician in brass set up centre.
“I needed to go away my bicycle spare-parts enterprise in Nigeria for greener pastures within the USA however opted to journey by way of Brazil, Mexico to America. My journey was aborted in Mexico from the place I used to be returned to Brazil the place I used to be granted asylum.”
Kabir Sani Tsakuwa, NDLEA Commander, Abuja Airport, confirmed that the seizure is likely one of the highest portions seized in latest instances.
“We promise all travellers who contain themselves in drug trafficking that they won’t escape our dragnet. We are going to proceed to maintain our vigilance”, Tsakuwa vowed.
