A Nigerian welder, Chidi Odor, who is based in Italy has excreted 99 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.425kg while under observation by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
Odor, 28, was arrested by officials of the NDLEA while going through screening to board an Alitalia flight to Milan at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on Friday.
According to the Head, Public Affairs of the NDLEA, Ofoyeju Mitchell, the substance was detected in his stomach by a scanning machine.
Mitchell quoted Odor as having said: “I have lived in Padova, Italy for 12 years where I work as a welder.
“After my marriage last December, I decided to spend some time with my wife before going back to Italy. In the process, I spent all my money.
“The person I called in Europe to send me some money to buy a ticket introduced me to his friend in Lagos.
“When I met him, he gave me the ticket money and asked me to take the drugs to Milan for 5,000Euros.
“Unfortunately, I could not resist the temptation because of my financial condition.
“I do not know how my wife will react but I hope she accepts my sincere apology.
The Chairman of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, said: “It is obvious that the financial attraction to drug smuggling is very high and unless the law is judiciously applied, there will be no end to drug trafficking.
“I hope drug traffickers will rise above the pecuniary gains and consider the implications of their criminal act.”