Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have apprehended Emmanuel Orjinze, a 48-year-old businessman bound for France, on charges of ingesting 111 wraps of cocaine.
In a statement released on Sunday, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi disclosed that Orjinze purported to be a professional footballer based in Europe. His arrest took place on May 21 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport during the outward clearance of Air France flight 878 from Abuja to Paris.
Following a body scan that confirmed the ingestion of illicit drugs, Orjinze was taken into custody. Over the course of three days, he excreted 111 pellets of cocaine, weighing a total of 1.603 kilograms.
“The suspect claimed he does business in the maritime sector while still scouting for any European football club to engage him,” the statement elucidated.
In a related development, NDLEA officers operating at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos dismantled a drug trafficking syndicate. This action ensued after the arrest of four members of the network and the seizure of 8 kilograms of methamphetamine and 7.60 kilograms of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis imported from South Africa.
“The lid was blown off the syndicate when an official within the airport system was intercepted with a backpack and a bag at the departure hall of Terminal 1 of the airport by NDLEA officers with the support of Aviation Security officers on Tuesday, May 21, 2024,” the statement detailed.
A subsequent search of the bags led to the discovery of the illicit substances. A swift follow-up operation at Ajao Estate area of Lagos resulted in the arrest of two other members of the syndicate: Chris Nwadozie and Chinedu Nwaosu. Further investigation led to the arrest of another member of the cartel working within the airport system on Saturday, May 25th.
