Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested a 38 year old businessman, Philip Tunde, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos for attempting to smuggle 4.80 kilograms of cocaine abroad. The suspect was intercepted at Terminal 2 during outward clearance procedures while attempting to board a Royal Air Maroc flight bound for Milan, Italy.
A thorough physical search of his personal luggage uncovered 16 carefully wrapped parcels of cocaine concealed inside the hollowed soles of eight pairs of trainers and canvas shoes. Additionally, forensic inspectors discovered 195 custom wraps hidden inside the tubular aluminum framework of four rolling travel bags.
During preliminary interrogation, Tunde confessed to investing N16 million in cash to acquire the illicit shipment found inside the footwear, claiming the remaining drugs hidden in the bag frames belonged to an overseas accomplice. The suspect revealed that his source capital came from an industrial injury compensation payout received after losing finger tips in an Italian manufacturing plant.
The narcotics agency simultaneously announced major operational busts at strategic maritime ports, including over 1.2 tonnes of high grade Canadian Loud valued at N3.8 billion at Tincan Island Port and 124 kilograms of Thai Loud at Apapa Port. In Rivers State, port inspectors seized 109,600 bottles of illicit codeine syrup originating from international shipping corridors.
Further tactical raids across Lagos led to the recovery of 209,000 tramadol tablets from an abandoned residential compound in Ago Palace, alongside targeted arrests in Osun, Plateau, Kogi, and Edo states. NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa commended the officers for their relentless intelligence driven efforts, pledging sustained pressure against international illicit syndicates.
By: Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed
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