The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested Ezeokoli Sylva, a 59-year-old businessman who returned to Nigeria after 35 years in Brazil with 700 grams of cocaine concealed in his stomach, News About Nigeria Reports.
Sylva was apprehended on Friday, November 29, 2024, at the E-Arrival Hall of Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, following his arrival from São Paulo via an Ethiopian Airlines flight.
This was contained in a statement by Femi Babafemi, Director of Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja on Sunday.
A body scan confirmed he had ingested 29 wraps of cocaine, which he expelled under observation. NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi stated, “The suspect admitted he purchased the drugs in São Paulo to resell in Nigeria and raise capital for his business.”
In another operation, NDLEA officers intercepted two UK-bound consignments of cocaine and pentazocine injections on November 26 at a courier company in Lagos.
According to Babafemi, “The 200 grams of cocaine were hidden in local fabrics, while 40 ampoules of pentazocine injections weighing 110 grams were concealed in cartons.”
Elsewhere, Kano operatives arrested three suspects—Jamilu Adamu (38), Umar Musa (32), and Bunu Ali (27)—on November 28, seizing 2,000 ampoules of pentazocine and over 3.1 million Exol-5 pills.
Major cannabis seizures were also recorded. In Lagos on November 28, 2,120 kilograms of Ghanaian Loud were intercepted at Ilesan Beach, with a suspect, Onibogi Muftau, arrested and four vehicles impounded. Earlier in the week, 472 kilograms of the same cannabis strain were seized in Ogun State.
In Edo, NDLEA officers arrested Monday Onyenemue (60) and Evans Omogiede (42) in Benin City on November 28. Babafemi confirmed, “The operation led to the recovery of 185.6 kilograms of cannabis and a Toyota Previa bus used for transport.”
The agency also intensified its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative, conducting sensitisation campaigns in schools and markets across Kano, Adamawa, Enugu, Ekiti, and Cross River states.
NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) praised the officers’ efforts, stating, “These operational successes and our balanced approach to supply and demand reduction demonstrate our commitment to eradicating drug abuse and trafficking.”
