NDLEA intercepts N8bn cocaine, arrests trafficker at Lagos airport

A Brazil-based drug kingpin has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) having in his possession 36 blocks of cocaine weighing 27.95 kilogrammes with a street value of over N8 billion at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.

The trafficker, Ejiofor Felix Enwereaku, was arrested at the airport on Friday, May 14, 2021, for importing the cocaine using a gang which specialises in tagging/planting drugs in travellers’ luggage.

Spokesman of the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, said based on intelligence, narcotic agents at the MMIA on Saturday, May 8, intercepted a bag that arrived the airport from Brazil via Ethiopia on an Ethiopian airline with baggage No-ET331199 which was disclaimed by an arriving passenger on the flight.

He said the bag was secured by NDLEA operatives for investigation and that on Sunday, May 9, a man came to the airport to make inquiry on how to get the bag released and was arrested for investigation.

Babafemi explained that, “The disclaimed bag was opened in the presence of the arriving passenger and the man who came to negotiate the release of the disputed bag. When it was opened, it was found that the bag contained 36 blocks of cocaine weighing 27.95kg.

“A follow up sting operation was carried out which led to the arrest of Ejiofor Felix Enwereaku, the prime suspect, on Friday May 14, upon his arrival from Addis Ababa on board an Ethiopian airline.

“During preliminary interrogation, he confessed to have been contracted by his Ethiopian associate who is a notorious drug baron to claim and push out the consignment in Lagos, Nigeria.

“He further admitted to have paid $24,500 bribe in three tranches to compromise NDLEA officers. The first was $10,000 delivered through his representative in Lagos and another $10,000 via his First Bank account, while the third tranche of $4,500 was paid at the point of his arrest.”