A suspected drug trafficker, Madueke Chukwuemeka Patrick, was on Christmas Day arrested at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos.
Patrick was caught by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on his return from Sao Paulo, Brazil with parcels of high grade cocaine.
The cocaine weighed 1.620kg.
It was concealed in his shorts.
The drug was detected during during the inward screening of passengers on an Emirate flight at about 3:26pm on Christmas day.
The suspect said that he ignored the wife’s warning of danger.
The NDLEA Commander at the airport, Hamza Umar, said: “During inward screening of Emirate passengers, Madueke Chukwuemeka was found to have hidden 16 parcels of cocaine in his inner wear.
“The cocaine, weighing 1.620kg, was carefully sewed on the shorts he wore on arrival.
“The case is under investigation.”
The 48-year-old suspect said that his wife warned him against smuggling the drug but he ignored.
He said: “I am a business man living in Brazil.
“I import Brazilian hair for sale in Nigeria.
“My regret is that my wife told me that she had a dream where I was arrested at the airport some days before my trip but I ignored.
“I had thought that Christmas Day was a good timing to bring the drugs but I was caught at the airport.
“A Brazilian friend gave me the drug and I was to sell and give him half the amount and take the remaining half.
“I felt it was a good deal and ignored my wife’s warning.
“I do not know what to tell my wife.
“In fact, I am confused.”
The suspect, who lives in Brazil with his wife and three children since 2007, hails from Orukwu village in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
According to the Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, the arrest is a sign that drug barons are running out of tricks.
Giade said: “The Agency will continue to detect drugs and apprehend drug barons.
“This seizure is a demonstration that officers are always at alert to clean our society of narcotics.
“Those who are planning to make quick money through drug trafficking should be ready to face the wrath of the law.”
The suspect will soon be charged to court.
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