NDLEA arrests Paris-bound man for smuggling 74 wraps of heroin, cocaine

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have apprehended a Paris-bound businessman, Orizu Ifeanyi Arthur, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, for allegedly ingesting 74 wraps of heroin and cocaine.

The arrest, which occurred during the outward clearance of passengers on an Air France flight on Sunday, December 22, 2024, was part of the agency’s intensified anti-drug trafficking operations.

NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, confirmed the incident in a statement released on Sunday. The 48-year-old Orizu, who operates a shop at Balogun Market, Lagos Island, reportedly resisted a body scan at the airport, citing a medical condition.

“When he was pulled aside for a body scan, he turned down the request claiming his medical condition wouldn’t allow him,” Babafemi stated.

Following his refusal, Orizu was taken into custody for observation. Over the course of seven days, he excreted 74 wraps of heroin and cocaine, which are classified as Class A drugs.

In his confession, Orizu revealed that he had been promised €3,000 for successfully delivering the drugs to Paris. He had traveled from Lagos to Abuja to board the flight, hoping to evade detection.

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In a separate operation, NDLEA’s Marine Command intercepted two boats loaded with 1,960 kilograms of Ghanaian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, at Eleko Beach in Lekki, Lagos.

The interdiction, which took place in the early hours of Christmas Eve, led to the arrest of six foreign nationals involved in the operation.

The suspects included two Ghanaians, Godsway John (38) and Freedom Kelvin (33), and four Beninese nationals: Chegoun Hounsou (23), Gadabor Nyameto (47), Adantg Sasa (34), and Ayao Kayivi (21).

Further demonstrating its nationwide efforts, the NDLEA made significant arrests in Katsina and Edo States over the Christmas period:

Katsina Arrests: On Christmas Day, Ibrahim Shaibu (35) was caught at Central Motor Park in Katsina with 40 parcels of compressed cannabis sativa weighing 35kg. Three days later, Umar Ahmed (47) was apprehended along the Zaria-Malumfashi road with 27 parcels of cannabis weighing 13.5kg.

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Edo State Raid: In Benin City, Kosisochukwu Ozigbo (21) was arrested during a raid at New Lagos Road on December 23. Seized items included 32,490 pills of tramadol (of various strengths), 936 bottles of codeine-based syrup, and other opioids.

The NDLEA emphasized its commitment to combating drug trafficking and curbing the proliferation of illicit substances across Nigeria.

“The successes of these operations underscore the agency’s resolve to rid the country of drug-related crimes,” Babafemi stated, urging the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.

These arrests mark a significant stride in Nigeria’s fight against drug trafficking, showcasing the NDLEA’s relentless efforts in protecting the nation from the harmful effects of illicit drugs.