A 74-year-old grandpa, Ikwuakalom Nwakoro Emeka, was arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) Abuja, while attempting to board a British Airways flight to London with 11 kilograms of cocaine concealed in his luggage.
The cocaine was cleverly hidden inside food items, including ground dry pepper, wrapped in foil papers and balloons. Emeka claimed he was traveling to London for vacation, but NDLEA officers were not convinced.
Further investigation revealed that Emeka had previously been arrested, convicted, and sentenced to two and a half years’ imprisonment for a similar offense in 2015. The NDLEA is now investigating the case and working to identify Emeka’s accomplices.
The NDLEA has commended the officers involved in the arrest and seizure, praising their efforts in combating drug trafficking. The agency’s Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, emphasized the importance of balancing enforcement operations with advocacy and education.
The arrest is part of a larger effort by the NDLEA to crack down on drug trafficking in Nigeria. In recent weeks, the agency has made several significant seizures, including 339,800 bottles of codeine-based syrup and 282.2kg of skunk.
The NDLEA has also launched awareness campaigns to educate Nigerians about the dangers of drug abuse and the importance of reporting suspicious activities. The agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative has been conducting sensitization programs in schools and communities across the country.
Emeka’s arrest serves as a reminder that drug trafficking is a serious crime with severe consequences. The NDLEA is urging Nigerians to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities.
The investigation is ongoing, and Emeka is currently in custody, facing charges related to drug trafficking.