A 29-year-old fashion designer, who was arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and later excreted 44 wraps of cocaine, said he would have made N6 million profits from the stuff if he had not suddenly started excreting the ingested wraps on plane.
The suspect, Ajaero Okechukwu Kingsley was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos during the inward screening of passengers on a Qatar Airline flight. He was on his way from Sao Paulo with the cocaine.
Kingsley blamed his arrest on operational mistake on the part of his business partner.
He added: “I went to Brazil two years ago in search of better working conditions. This is my first time of trafficking in drugs and I got involved through friends. In line with my plan, I was expecting 30,000 euros as my profit. My business partner was to collect the drug from me while on transit in Qatar but he failed to show-up.
I was compelled to come to Nigeria with the drugs but I excreted 30 on board the aircraft.”
NDLEA Commander at the Lagos Airport, Mr. Hamza Umar said: “The suspect excreted 44 wraps of substances that tested positive for cocaine weighing 85 grammes.”
NDLEA Chairman Ahmadu Giade, said: “Brazil is a source country for cocaine and we shall continue to beam our searchlight on this route. Those who seek to enrich themselves through drug trafficking shall be arrested and prosecuted.”
Giade called on members of the public to assist the Agency in reporting suspected cases of drug trafficking, production and abuse for necessary action.
The NDLEA boss added that it was risky to shield drug traffickers because their activities undermine public safety.