The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 48-year-old businessman at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, while heading to New Delhi, India, with 1.550 kilograms of suspected cocaine.

Femi Babafemi, the agency’s spokesperson, announced this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

Mr Babafemi said the suspect, who liquidated all his assets to chase a dream of quick riches in the illicit drug trade, cleverly concealed the suspected illicit drugs in the side walls and railings of his bag.

He also said the suspect, who deals in marbles in Lagos, was arrested at the departure hall of Terminal II at Lagos airport while attempting to board a Qatar Airways flight to New Delhi, India.

“A search of his check-in bag uncovered 1.550 kilograms of suspected cocaine factory-fitted in the walls and railings of his bag.

“In a candid confession that lays bare the desperation that fuels the drug trade, the suspect said he had sold off his marble business and every asset he owned to raise the N23 million he paid for the consignment.

“The suspect said that the money was raised with the expectation of selling it in India for as much as N100 million.

“With his assets gone, and his dream of transiting from a marble trader to a drug kingpin was effectively shattered following his arrest, the suspect remains in custody awaiting prosecution and likely time in jail,” he said.

Mr Babafemi said that in another operation, NDLEA operatives, acting on credible intelligence, raided a warehouse within a residential compound at 20 Hakeem Dosumu Street, Ago Palace area of Okota, Lagos.

According to him, operatives discovered a massive stockpile of codeine-based syrup.

“A total of 3,776 cartons, comprising 377,600 bottles of the controlled substance, valued at over N2.6 billion, were recovered between August 7 and 8.”

He added that yet in another intelligence-led operation, NDLEA operatives on Friday raided the residence of a 55-year-old kingpin at 37 Ogundare Street, Ipaja Estate, Ipaja area of Lagos.

Mr Babafemi said the NDLEA operatives recovered 324 kilograms of suspected Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis, with a street value of N972 million, a Mercedes-Benz car and a Toyota Corolla car.

He said the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) social advocacy activities by NDLEA commands equally continued within the period under review.

He quoted the NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa as commending the officers, men and women of MMIA and Lagos commands of the agency for the arrests and seizures made within the period under review.

He also praised their counterparts in all the commands across the country for pursuing a fair balance between their drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.

(NAN)