Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested two suspected drug traffickers allegedly in possession of 485 grammes of narcotic drug that tested positive for cocaine.
One of the suspects, Anazodo Innocent, was found to have inserted wraps of cocaine in his anus on his way to Italy, while the second suspect concealed wraps of narcotics in the collar of his jacket on his way from Brazil.
The arrests and seizures were made at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos.
NDLEA commander at the Lagos airport, Ahmadu Garba, gave the names of the suspects as Anazodo Innocent, 46, and Agwu Samuel, 31.
“Two suspects have been arrested over unlawful possession of cocaine. Anazodo Innocent was found with seven pellets of cocaine weighing 375 grammes inserted in his anus while Agwu Samuel had ten pellets of cocaine weighing 110 grammes concealed inside his jacket. Both arrests were made during routine check on passengers. Agwu was nabbed during inward screening of passengers on a South Africa Airline flight from Brazil through Johannesburg. The second suspect, Anazodo was caught during screening of passengers on a Royal Air Maroc flight while going to Milan, Italy” the commander stated.
Agwu Samuel, who confidently wore the jacket containing cocaine, was arrested shortly after the suspect alighted from the aircraft on his way from Sao Paulo, Brazil.
This is the first discovery of cocaine inside the collar of a jacket by the NDLEA. The suspects have owned up to the crime and have been cooperating with investigators.
In his reaction, the Chairman/Chief Executive of the Agency, Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah, described the suspects’ action as desperately crafty and cunning.
According to Abdallah, “The cocaine was detected by officers, notwithstanding the crafty and cunning mode of concealment. The Agency has taken some strategic measures aimed at disappointing the tricks employed by drug trafficking syndicates. We remain committed to exposing criminal plots through superior counter-narcotic intelligence. This operational success is commendable and a demonstration of our alertness to detect drugs”.
Abdallahh said that the Agency will continue to invest in capacity building programmes for officers.
Agwu Samuel, who sold shoes in Togo, said in his statement that he went to Brazil in search of greener pastures but resorted to drug trafficking due to frustration.
According to the suspect, “I used to sell shoes in Togo until I lost goods worth three (3) million Naira. This negatively affected my business and made me to travel to Brazil in a desperate search for greener pastures. After a fruitless search for job in Brazil for four months, I decided to smuggle drugs to get some money to start my shoe business. I thought the drugs will not be detected inside my jacket but I was caught and I am very sad”.
He attended Technical Secondary School in Ohafia, Abia State.
Anazodo Innocent is also a trader selling shoes. In his statement, he regretted getting involved in drug trafficking, adding that it was a mistake.
“I made a mistake and I am regretting my action. It is true I had financial challenge but I should not have smuggled cocaine” he stated.
He hails from Anambra State and was promised two thousand Euros to smuggle the drugs to Milan.
