The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 48-year-old businessman, Emmanuel Orjinze, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport for ingesting 111 wraps of cocaine.
Orjinze, who claimed to be a professional footballer in Europe, was taken into custody on May 21 during the outward clearance of an Air France flight to Paris. Following his arrest, he excreted the 111 wraps of cocaine over several days while under observation.
This development was disclosed in a statement signed by NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, and published on the agency’s website on Sunday.
The statement read, “Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested a 48-year-old Paris, France-bound businessman, Emmanuel Okechuku Orjinze, for ingesting 111 wraps of cocaine, which he excreted after days of observation in the agency’s custody following his arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, NAIA, Abuja.”
Orjinze, who claims to be a professional footballer in Europe, was detained on Tuesday, May 21, during the outward clearance of Air France flight AF 878 from Abuja to Paris. A body scan confirmed he had ingested the illicit drugs, leading to his immediate arrest. While in custody, Orjinze excreted 111 pellets of cocaine, totaling 1.603 kilograms, over a span of three days. He also stated that he is involved in the maritime business while scouting for opportunities with European football clubs.
In a related operation, NDLEA officers at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos, have dismantled a significant drug trafficking syndicate operating within the airport.
This action came after the apprehension of four syndicate members and the confiscation of a combined total of 8kg of methamphetamine and 7.60kg of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis imported from South Africa.
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The statement further mentioned that the drug trafficking syndicate was exposed at the airport when an official was apprehended with illicit substances in their backpack and bag.
On May 21, 2024, NDLEA officers, with support from Aviation Security, intercepted the official at Terminal 1 and uncovered the drugs during a search, exposing the activities of the syndicate.
“A swift follow-up operation at Ajao Estate area of Lagos led to the arrest of two other members of the syndicate: Chris Nwadozie and Chinedu Nwaosu. Further investigation led to the arrest of another member of the cartel working within the airport system on Saturday 25th May,” the statement added.
In a related development, the agency also arrested a freight agent, Sonubi Abiodun, for attempting to export eight parcels of cocaine concealed in paint buckets to the United Kingdom.
Additionally, NDLEA operatives arrested suspects producing and distributing skuchies, a mixture of black currant and illicit drugs, in Lagos, and recovered 2,480 liters of the psychoactive substance.
In Cross River State, Ogar Emmanuel was apprehended with 2.5kg of cannabis, while 290kg of the substance was seized from the warehouse of Usani Ikpi, who remains at large. Additionally, three suspects – Sa’adu Sule, Mukhtar Nura, and Hamza Nura – were arrested in Katsina State with 70kg of cannabis, originating from Ogun State.
The statement added that, “No fewer than five suspects, including Ezekiel Munda, 30; and Sule Mustapha, 21, were arrested by NDLEA operatives on Thursday, May 23, during raids at Karu Abattoir, Jikwoyi, and Tora Bora hill area of FCT, Abuja, where 95.01kg of cannabis and different quantities of opioids were recovered from them.
“In Edo State, operatives arrested a physically challenged notorious drug dealer, Zekere Sufianu, 45, at Auchi town on Wednesday, May 22. At the time of his arrest, he was found with 751 grams of Loud, 178 grams of tramadol, and pills of swinol.”
