ABUJA: Officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a trader and an apprentice for ingesting 132 wraps of cocaine weighing 2.7kilogramme.
The suspects were intercepted at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, while returning from Kenya.
They both tested positive for drug ingestion during inward screening of passengers on an Ethiopian Airline flight.
The NDLEA commander at the Kano airport, Mr. Ambrose Umoru, gave the names of the suspects as Otaka Patrick Kalu, a 48- year old trader who ingested 72 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.450kg and David Ikechukwu, a 32- year old apprentice at Alaba market.
Ikechukwu ingested 60 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.250kg.
“The suspects were nabbed while returning from Kenya. Interim investigation revealed that they were recruited by one source and were promised the sum of $5, 000,” Ambrose stated.
Kalu, who resides in Aba, told investigators that he smuggled drugs to pay his children school fees.
“I sell clothes in Aba but my business has suffered serious setbacks. I am married with three children and life is becoming unbearable on daily basis.
“I could not further my education after my secondary school. I got involved in drug trafficking to pay my children school fees, but I am regretting my action. I swallowed 72 wraps of cocaine because of $5,000,” he stated.
He hails from Ohafia, Abia State.
Ikechukwu, who lives in Lagos, said that financial hardship pushed him into drug trafficking.
He stated, “I am an apprentice at Alaba Market, Lagos, where I am learning how to sell kitchen equipment. I am married with a child, but I am unable to take care of my family. I swallowed 60 wraps and would have been paid $5,000.” He hails from Orlu in Imo State.
