A 59-year-old Nigerian businessman, Ezeokoli Sylva, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for allegedly smuggling 700 grammes of cocaine concealed in his stomach ¹. The arrest took place on Friday, November 29, 2024, at the E-Arrival hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos State.
Sylva, who had lived in Brazil for 35 years, was returning to Nigeria aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight from São Paulo, Brazil, via Addis Ababa. A body scan conducted by NDLEA officials revealed foreign objects in Sylva’s stomach, which were later confirmed to be cocaine.
According to NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, Sylva was placed under excretion observation, during which he expelled 29 wraps of substances that tested positive for cocaine, weighing 700 grammes. Sylva claimed he intended to sell the drugs in Nigeria to boost his business.
In his statement, Sylva claimed he operates an African store in Brazil where he sells provisions, shoes, and clothes. He added that he bought the illicit consignment in São Paulo to resell in Nigeria to raise substantial capital to boost his business.
The NDLEA also intercepted two consignments containing cocaine and pentazocine injections, en route to the United Kingdom via a courier company in Lagos, on November 26. The cocaine, weighing 200 grammes, was concealed in local fabrics, while 40 ampoules of pentazocine injection, weighing 110 grammes, were hidden in cartons.
In another operation, NDLEA operatives arrested three suspects—Jamilu Adamu, 38; Umar Musa, 32; and Bunu Ali, 27—with 2,000 ampoules of pentazocine injection and 3,135,000 Exol-5 pills at Gadar Tamburawa, Zaria Road, Kano, on November 28.
A strong strain of cannabis, known as Ghanaian Loud, was also recovered at Ilesan Beach in Lagos. No fewer than 2,120 kilogrammes of Ghanaian Loud were intercepted by NDLEA operatives at Ilesan Beach, Lagos, on Thursday, November 28. A suspect, Onibogi Muftau, was arrested in connection with the seizure.
The NDLEA also recovered four vehicles that were to convey the shipments from the waterfront. This came on the heels of the seizure of 472 kilogrammes of the same psychoactive substance at Idi-Iroko, Imeko area of Ogun State, on Monday, November 25.
The NDLEA’s efforts to combat drug trafficking and abuse in Nigeria have been commendable, and this latest arrest is a testament to their dedication to keeping the country safe from illicit substances.
