TheCable

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says its operatives have arrested two drug traffickers, who “excreted 165 wraps of cocaine”, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesman, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday.

According to him, both suspects had come into Nigeria from Addis Ababa.

“Two drug traffickers, Elvis Uche Iro, 53, and Uwaezuoke Ikenna Christian, 42, have excreted a total of 165 wraps of cocaine following their arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, by operatives of the NDLEA for ingesting the illicit drug,” the statement reads.

“They excreted the drugs while under observation in the agency’s custody.

“The 53-year-old Elvis, who is a father of four children, hails from Abiriba, Ohafia local government area of Abia state. He was arrested on Saturday, 19th March, upon his arrival on board Ethiopian Airlines flight from Addis Ababa for ingesting 65 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.376kg.

“During preliminary interview, he claimed he’s an interior decorator but had to go into drug trafficking because he needed money to start a coffee business to take care of his family and stock his newly acquired shop with curtain materials/accessories in Lagos. He said he would have been paid $1,000 on successful delivery of the drug in Abuja.

“Another passenger on the same flight, 42-year-old Uwaezuoke Ikenna Christian, was also arrested on arrival for ingesting 100 pellets of cocaine with a total weight of 2.243kg.

“Ikenna, who hails from Ojoto, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra state, claims he’s a businessman dealing in baby’s wears before venturing into drug trafficking.

“During preliminary interview, he said he travelled to Addis Ababa on Thursday, 17th March, to buy the drug for $10,000 and returned on Saturday, 19th March, when he was arrested.

“He said he sold his land in his village and took loans from friends to be able to raise money to buy the drug. He claimed he had to go into drug to raise money for his business after being duped of $15,000 by his friend who lives in China.”

Commenting on the development, Buba Marwa, NDLEA chairman, commended the operatives for their “diligence and vigilance” and “charged them to always strive to raise the bar in their operational feats”.