N131m cocaine discovered in ladies’ shoes

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has discovered cocaine valued at N131million in some female foot wears and laptop bags.

Three suspects, Ezenna Chinonso Joseph, Agu Ifeanyi Kingsley and Okoye Israel have been arrested in connection with the seized cocaine. They were alleged to have smuggled the cocaine from Brazil through Abu Dhabi.

Ezenna, 28, told narcotic investigators that he was promised the sum of N2.5 million by his sponsors.

According to him, “I am married and my wife is pregnant. I used to manage a boutique until I lost everything. Out of frustration, I travelled to Brazil in search of employment. I smuggled the drugs for N2.5 million. My intention was to settle down and invest the drug proceeds in any legitimate business.”

Agu Ifeanyin Kingsley, 30, said he lost his father and needed money for the funeral. “I sell clothes at Aba market. I travelled to Brazil in April 2014 because my business was almost liquidating. The few months I spent in Brazil were even worse than here in Nigeria. While in Brazil, my father died and I had no money for my flight ticket. Bringing cocaine to Nigeria was my last hope of making some money. They promised to pay me eight hundred thousand naira,” Agu stated. He hails from Enugu State.

Okoye Israel Emeka said that he too was promised the sum of eight hundred thousand naira to smuggle cocaine to Nigeria. “I am from a poor family. I dropped out of school in primary 4 due to lack of sponsorship. I work in a Bakery in Brazil. My salary is too meager that I live from hand to mouth. They promised me the sum of eight hundred thousand naira to smuggle cocaine. I am single and need to settle down” Okoye stated.

The suspects were arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos State and the cocaine, which weighed 14.650kg.

NDLEA spokesman, Mitchell Ofoyeju said: “The estimated street value of the seized cocaine is about N131 million.”

NDLEA Airport commander, Hamza Umar said: “Ezenna Chinonso Joseph was found with 11.330kg of cocaine, Agu Ifeanyi Kingsley had in his possession 1.650kg while Okoye Israel was found with 1.670kg. The total quantity of cocaine seized from the three suspects is 14.650kg.”

The suspects during interrogation revealed how they would have been paid the sum of four million, one hundred thousand naira to smuggle cocaine by their sponsors.

“Two of the suspects, Agu Ifeanyi Kingsley and Okoye Israel who hid the cocaine inside laptop bags were promised N800, 000 each.  They were apprehended during the inward screening of passengers on an Emirates flight from Dubai, Abu Dhabi,” said Ofoyeju.

Ezenna Chinonso Joseph boarded a Qatar flight also from Dubai with 11.330kg of cocaine hidden in soles of female foot wears.

Chairman NDLEA Ahmadu Giade in his reaction said that arrest and prosecution of drug traffickers was a continuous exercise until the country is completely free of illicit drugs.

The suspects will soon be charged to court.