N199m cocaine concealed in perfumes, capacitors

Two traders, who allegedly concealed drugs suspected to be cocaine worth 199 million naira inside capacitors and perfumes, have been arrested by officials of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.

The duo of Daniel Marvin and Akubuo Victor, said to have succeeded in beating security checks in Brazil , were arrested during the inward screening of passengers on an Emirate Airline flight from Dubai, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

However, during interrogation, they told NDLEA officials that they were tempted by the offer of half a million naira for the botched trip.

The NDLEA Commander at Abuja Airport, Mr. Hamisu Lawan, gave the names of the suspects as Daniel Marvin and Akubuo Victor.

According to him, “Daniel Marvin, with Nigerian Passport Number A05545613, was arrested during the inward screening of passengers on an Emirate Airline flight from Dubai. He was found in possession of 7.580kg of cocaine hidden inside capacitors.

“The second suspect, Akubuo Victor was found in possession of 5.750kg of cocaine hidden inside perfumes. Both suspects were coming from Brazil when they were arrested.”

Twenty-nine years old Marvin, a trader from Abia State, during interrogation, claimed that he was introduced into drug trafficking by his childhood friend.

According to him, “I am a young man searching for business breakthrough. In the process, my friend told me that I could earn half a million naira by just going to Brazil.

“Aside that, he told me that they would buy my return ticket and that all I needed to do was to bring in cocaine. He assured that the drugs will never be detected because of the way it was packed.

“I succeeded in passing all routes from Brazil. Unfortunately, the drug was detected by NDLEA officers during search at Abuja Airport.”

On his part, 26-year-old Favour Victor, said: “I am a trader in Anambra State. But at a point, business started dwindling and I needed to revive it.

“I was lured into drug trafficking by a friend who promised to pay me N500,000. The drug was hidden inside new perfume containers.

“I was told that it was a new method that will never be detected. But it was uncovered by the NDLEA officers,” said the father of two.

Commenting on the arrest, Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, assured that the agency would continue to frustrate activities of drug barons through superior intelligence.

He said: “These arrests and seizures are products of superior counter-narcotic strategies.

“The agency is prepared and deeply committed to the eradication of drug trafficking cartels through similar intelligence driven operation.”