NDLEA nabs ex-convict with cocaine price N4.6bn at Lagos airport

The Nationwide Drug Legislation Enforcement Company (NDLEA) has apprehended an ex-convict, Christian Ogbuji for importing 817 wraps of cocaine weighing 19.40kg with an estimated worth of N4.6billion at Murtala Muhammed Worldwide Airport (MMIA).

That is contained in an announcement issued by NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, on Tuesday in Abuja.

Babafemi mentioned hat the arrest got here barely 16 months after Ogbuji was arrested and convicted for ingesting 93 pellets of cocaine.

He mentioned that the 48-year-old businessman was first arrested on the Nnamdi Azikiwe Worldwide Airport, (NAIA), Abuja, on Wednesday Could 10, 2023.

This, he mentioned was upon his arrival from Uganda through Addis Ababa, onboard Ethiopian Airways flight ET 951 for ingesting 93 pellets of cocaine with a gross weight of 1.986kg.

Babafemi mentioned that the suspect was arraigned earlier than Federal Excessive Court docket 12 Abuja presided over by Hon. Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon in cost no: FHC/ABJ/CR/192/2023 and convicted on July 13, 2023.

He mentioned that Ogbuji was sentenced to 2 years imprisonment with an choice of paying a fantastic of N3million which he paid and was let out.

He, nevertheless, mentioned that the court docket additionally ordered the forfeiture of the seized 1.986 kilograms cocaine, his worldwide passport, 14 US {dollars} and 9000 Uganda shillings discovered on him on the time of his arrest.

“Not carried out with crime, Ogbuji was once more arrested on the Lagos airport on Wednesday Sept. 18 throughout an inward clearance of Ethiopian Airways flight passengers from Addis Ababa to Lagos.

“The suspect had approached the joint examination desk with a black travelling bag which was searched by an NDLEA operative who cleared the bags.

“In a doubtful transfer, Ogbuji sneaked again to the carousel space to place contained in the cleared bag a black backpack he left on the conveyor’s belt.

“As he made his method out of the arrival corridor, vigilant NDLEA officers intercepted him and subjected him to a secondary search.

“It was then massive wraps of excreted cocaine had been discovered hid contained in the backpack hidden within the black travelling bag that was earlier discovered with the suspect.

“A complete of 817 pellets of cocaine excreted by many traffickers in Addis Ababa weighing 19.40kg belonging to totally different members of a drug cartel had been recovered,”he mentioned..

In response to Babafemi, throughout interview with the suspect, he said that he initially left the backpack containing the drug on the carousel space as a method to beat NDLEA operatives.

He added that the suspect mentioned he by no means knew there could possibly be a secondary search since he had introduced his bag for search earlier and nothing incriminating was discovered.

“The suspect claimed he needed to procure a brand new worldwide passport to proceed his legal commerce.

“Investigation revealed Ogbuji is an unrepentant kingpin throughout the community of drug cartels working between Brazil, Ethiopia, Nigeria and others within the West African sub-region like Benin, Togo, Ghana, Liberia, and Cote d’Ivoire,”he mentioned.

Reacting, the NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa counseled the officers and males of the MMIA Strategic Command for a wonderful job carried out.

Marwa added that the seizure of such a big consignment of cocaine on the airport was a milestone that may ship a powerful message to the worldwide drug cartels looking for footholds in Nigeria.

He mentioned the Company would proceed to work to disrupt the actions of drug cartels working within the nation.

(NAN)