NDLEA arrests suspected drug peddler at Lagos airport

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Friday apprehended a 52-year-old man whom the agency described as a specialist in concealing illicit drugs.

This is contained in a statement issued by the agency’s Head of Public Affairs, Mr Mitchell Ofoyeju at the weekend.

The statement said that the suspect, who had been on the agency’s wanted list, was caught at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos during screening of passengers on an Etihad Airways flight.

It said that the suspect departed Sao Paulo, Brazil with 2.605kg of cocaine which he packaged as candies.

“The suspect, Augustine Onyejiaju, 52, unlawfully possessed cocaine. We made a shocking discovery of 2.605kg of cocaine carefully and neatly packed as candies.

“The suspect, Onyejiaju is currently under investigation in connection with unlawful possession of cocaine,” the statement said.

It quoted the NDLEA Commander at the Lagos Airport, Mr Hamza Umar, as saying that the suspect, who owned a supermarket in Sao Paulo, Brazil, used the outfit as a cover for his illicit drug activities.

The statement added that the suspect had owned up to the crime and would be charged to court soon.

“I own and manage a supermarket in Brazil where I have lived since 2006. I bought the cocaine and concealed it as candies. It is just unfortunate that the cocaine was found in my bag,” the statement quoted Onyejiaju as saying.

The chairman of the agency, Mr Ahmadu Giade, described the arrest of the suspect as a reward for the agency’s protracted surveillance.

“This significant arrest is an indication that the agency is making remarkable progress in undercover operations.

“The suspect has been under surveillance for some years, following his alleged role in illicit drug concealment for drug mules,” Giade said.

He assured that other suspects on the agency’s watch list “will soon be brought to justice” (NAN)