35 Years After Leaving Nigeria, Brazil-based Businessman Caught With 700g Of Cocaine In Lagos

After 35 year stay in Brazil, a businessman, Ezeokoli Sylva, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), upon his return to Nigeria with 700 grams of cocaine concealed in his stomach at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.

The 59-year-old, who had lived in the South American country for 35 years, was arrested on Friday, 29th November 2024, at the E-Arrival hall of the Lagos airport upon his arrival from São Paulo, Brazil, on an Ethiopian Airlines flight via Addis Ababa. A body scan confirmed the suspect had foreign objects hidden in his stomach.

Following the scan, he was placed under excretion observation, during which he expelled 29 wraps of substances that tested positive for cocaine, weighing 700 grams.

According to Sun report, in a statement, the suspect claimed he operates an African store in Brazil, selling provisions, shoes, and clothes. He added that he purchased the illicit consignment in São Paulo to resell in Nigeria, intending to raise substantial capital to expand his business.

Meanwhile, NDLEA officers from the Directorate of Investigation and General Investigation (DOGI) intercepted two consignments containing cocaine and pentazocine injections on Tuesday, 26th November 2024. The consignments, destined for the United Kingdom, were seized at a courier company in Lagos.

The cocaine, weighing 200 grams, was concealed in local fabrics, while 40 ampoules of pentazocine injections, weighing 110 grams, were hidden in cartons.

In Kano, NDLEA operatives arrested three suspects on Thursday, 28th November: Jamilu Adamu (38), Umar Musa (32), and Bunu Ali (27). They were found in possession of 2,000 ampoules of pentazocine injections and 3,135,000 pills of Exol-5 at Gadar Tamburawa, Zaria Road.

In Lagos, no fewer than 2,120 kilograms of Ghanaian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis produced in Ghana, were intercepted by NDLEA operatives at the Ilesan Beach on Thursday, 28th November. A suspect, Onibogi Muftau, was arrested in connection with the seizure, and four vehicles meant to transport the shipments from the waterfront were also recovered.

This interception followed the earlier seizure of 472 kilograms of the same psychoactive substance at Idi-Iroko in the Imeko area of Ogun State on Monday, 25th November.

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In Edo State, NDLEA operatives arrested two suspects, Monday Onyenemue (60) and Evans Omogiede (42), on Thursday, 28th November. During an intelligence-led raid at Ukuwague Street, Benin City, 185.6 kilograms of cannabis and a Toyota Previa bus (marked BEN 06XL) used to transport the consignment were recovered.

Additionally, NDLEA Commands and formations across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaigns in schools, worship centres, workplaces, and communities.

These activities included lectures delivered at Government Girls Secondary School, Kofar Wambai, Kano; Government Day Secondary School, Njoboli-Fulani, Yola, Adamawa State; Girls High School, Mgbowo, Enugu State; God’s Time College, Ikole Ekiti, Ekiti State; and to traders at 8 Miles Market, Calabar, Cross River State, among others.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (Rtd), commended the officers and men of MMIA, DOGI, Lagos, Kano, and Edo Commands for their arrests and seizures. He praised their operational successes and their balanced approach to reducing drug supply and demand, noting that their efforts were highly appreciated.