The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 7.45 kilogramme of cocaine being smuggled into the country from Brazil. The NDLEA arrested one Asogwa Solomon Ochiabuto, a 39 year old jewelry salesman based in Okota, Lagos who smuggled the narcotics of an inbound Ethiopian Airlines flight.
The drug which was industrially concealed inside food flasks and kitchen utensils tested positive for cocaine and weighed 7.45kg. It is estimated to cost eighty-two million naira (N82m). It is the single largest seizure recorded at the Abuja airport since January.
NDLEA Abuja Airport Commander, Mr. Hamisu Lawan said that the arrest was made following intensive screening by narcotic officers. “The suspect, Asogwa Solomon Ochiabuto was on-board an Ethiopian Airline flight from Brazil enroute Lome, Addis Ababa to Abuja. The cocaine though carefully hidden in the flasks was detected during search operation. We have commenced investigation into the case and he will soon be charged to court” Hamisu stated.
The suspect, Asogwa who resides in Okota area of Lagos hails from Umabor town in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State. According to his statement, “I am a Secondary School Certificate holder. I could not further my education due to lack of sponsorship. I sell jewelries in Lagos to earn a living. I was married but now divorced. My intention was to invest the money from the drug trade in my business because I have suffered several losses that made me heavily indebted”.
