The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has foiled attempt by one Okorie Cyprian Raymond to smuggle 12.05kg of cocaine into the country at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Command, Abuja.
The agency said Okorie, 38, was arrested during the inward clearance of Ethiopian Airline flight 911 from Sao Paulo, Brazil en-route Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
According to a statement by the Principal Staff Officer, Public Affairs, Jonah Achema, on Thursday, the cocaine was carefully packed in drink sachets of pineapple and lemon flavor and concealed in a suitcase.
Achema said Okorie claimed to have no knowledge of what was in the suitcase, which was given to him by one Uche.
“Okorie had already claimed his luggage upon arrival and proceeded to NDLEA screening point where it was detected that one of his bags was stuffed with prohibited drugs suspected to be cocaine.
“He claimed that the drug consignment was given to him to deliver in Nigeria by one Uche whom he met in Church in Brazil about three months ago through a friend.
“Okorie said Uche overheard him talk to his friend about his impending trip to Nigeria. ‘I actually did not have knowledge of what is in the bag. Oga Uche brought the suit case to me at the airport just an hour before flight take-off. This short interval did not give me the opportunity to scrutinize the bag’, Okorie claimed.
“Okorie, aged 38 and a school certificate holder has been a resident of Sao Paulo since 2015 where he worked as a technician in brass installation Center.
According to him: “I had to leave my bicycle spare-parts business in Nigeria for greener pasture in the USA but opted to travel through Brazil, Mexico to America.
“My journey was aborted in Mexico from where I was returned to Brazil where I was granted asylum’,” the statement reads.
NDLEA Commander, Abuja Airport, Kabir Sani Tsakuwa, said: “The 12.05 kilograms of cocaine is one of the highest quantity seized by the Command in recent times.
“We promise all travelers who involve themselves in drug trafficking that they will not escape our drag net. We will continue to sustain our vigilance.”
