NDLEA intercepts N90m ‘cocaine cream’ in Lagos

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has intercepted the first known creamy cocaine in the country.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the 9.500kg cocaine was packaged to look like the normal ice cream.

It was learnt that the creamy cocaine was brought into the country in four big coolers through the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos.

Spokesman of the NDLEA, Mr. Mitchelle Ofoyeju, who confirmed the seizure by the anti-drug agency, said the substance that later tested positive for cocaine was imported from Sao Paulo, Brazil.

He said, “Operatives of the NDLEA detected the drug following suspicion of the four giant size water coolers. Further examination revealed the parcels of drugs after it was cut open.

“Four parcels each of creamy cocaine were found to have been industrially strapped round the body of the four coolers.

“In all, a total of 16 parcels weighing 9.500kg, with an estimated street value of over N90m, were recovered during search at the airport’s arrival hall.”

Ofoyeju said the agency had arrested a 50-year-old man, Martin Ikechukwu, in connection with the discovery.

He described Ikechukwu as an unrepentant suspected drug trafficker.

“He is currently facing trial over unlawful importation of a kilogramme of cocaine from Brazil in 2010,” Ofoyeju said.

NDLEA findings showed that Ikechukwu hailed from Enugu State and graduated from Government Technical College, Awka in 1980.

In a purported statement to the agency, Ikechukwu said he wanted to raise some money to enable him to settle down with his family.

“I was living in Brazil between 2009 and 2010. I was arrested when I came home in 2010. When I was granted bail, there was nobody to help me. I had no option but to smuggle drugs again because they promised to pay me the sum of N3m. My intention was to settle down with my family because I am not getting younger,” Martin stated.

Ofoyeju said the agency was worried that suspects go back to drug business after they had been arrested and granted bail.

He said, “NDLEA Airport Commander, Hamza Umar, said the issue of re-arrest of suspected drug traffickers who are released on bail has been a major challenge of the command. This suspect (Ikechukwu) was first arrested on February 23, 2010 for ingesting one kilogramme of cocaine.

“The agency is also investigating the circumstances under which the suspect acquired new travel documents.”

The Chairman of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, said the arrest showed the extent to which drug barons could go. “This arrest, however, raised questions on the issue of bail for drug traffickers,” he said.

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