Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano have apprehended a 59-year-old fish farmer while trying to board an Ethiopian airline flight to Johannesburg, South Africa through Addis Ababa.
Twenty-five kilogrammes of substances that tested positive for ephedrine were found in the suspect’s luggage.
The Commander of the NDLEA at MAKIA, Ambrose Umoru, said the suspect was intercepted at the departure waiting lounge based on intelligence.
The drug was concealed in his luggage.
Umoru said: “The suspect was arrested following a tip-off after he had already gone through screening.
“When the substance was detected, it was tested and found to be positive for ephedrine.
“Already, an investigation had commenced into the case since the arrest on July 15.”
The 59-year-old Enugu State-based fish farmer said he smuggled drugs in order to expand his fish farming business.
According to Chukwuani: “I am a fish farmer at Agbogugu, Agwu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
“I am married with three children and due to financial problems, my business was almost going into extinction.
“I decided to smuggle drugs to invest the money in my fish farm.
“They promised to pay me the sum of $2,000.”
The suspect attended Central School and St. Vincent Secondary School both in Agbogugu, Enugu State.
The suspect will soon be charged to court, the NDLEA said.