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Auto Parts Dealer Detained at Kano Airport for Concealing Cocaine Internally
Authorities at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) in Kano apprehended a 62-year-old businessman from Lagos, Nwabueze Nicholas Izueke, after discovering 95 large wraps of cocaine, totaling approximately 1.589 kilograms, hidden inside his digestive tract. The arrest occurred on Saturday, January 31st, as he prepared to board Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940 bound for China via Addis Ababa.
NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi confirmed that a body scan revealed the presence of illicit substances within Izueke’s system, prompting his placement under medical observation. Over the course of seven excretions, the suspect expelled all 95 pellets of the narcotic. Izueke, who claims to be involved in the clothing and automobile spare parts trade in Lagos, admitted to trafficking drugs to finance the completion of a residential project in his hometown of Iwollo, Enugu State.
Major Methamphetamine and Cannabis Seizures Foil Smuggling Attempts
In a separate operation, NDLEA agents uncovered a substantial cache of 627.7 kilograms of skunk cannabis at a makeshift storage facility located within Fums Plaza, Kubwa, Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Concurrently, efforts to smuggle methamphetamine concealed inside MP3 speakers from Enugu to Abuja and Kaduna were thwarted on Friday, February 6th, when operatives intercepted the shipments aboard a bus in Abuja.
Subsequent investigations led to the arrest of Ebube Okeke in Zuba, FCT, who was found in possession of one parcel containing 173 grams of methamphetamine. Additionally, three other suspects-Evans Ugwu, Mohammed Eze Arinze, and Friday Michael-were detained on February 7th in Kaduna while attempting to collect a second consignment weighing 28 grams.
Yogurt Packs Used as Concealment for Methamphetamine in Taraba State
On Friday, February 6th, NDLEA officers at the Dan-anacha patrol point in Gassol Local Government Area, Taraba State, intercepted 32-year-old Yusuf Abubakar transporting Hollandia yogurt packs from Lagos to Mubi, Adamawa State. Acting on intelligence reports, the agents conducted a thorough search and discovered that some yogurt containers were used to hide 1.8 kilograms of methamphetamine in powder form.
Ongoing Efforts to Combat Drug Trafficking in Nigeria
These recent seizures underscore the persistent challenges Nigerian law enforcement faces in curbing drug trafficking networks. The NDLEA continues to intensify surveillance and intelligence-led operations across key transit points to disrupt the flow of narcotics. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), West Africa remains a critical transit hub for cocaine and methamphetamine destined for international markets, highlighting the importance of sustained interdiction efforts.
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