The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested five suspected drug couriers with 8.6 kilogrammes of cocaine at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Chairman of NDLEA, Alhaji Muhammad Abdallah, who stated this in a statement, said that 137 wraps of cocaine swallowed by two of the suspects were removed from their bodies at an hospital.
NDLEA spokesman, Mitchell Ofoyeju, who signed the statement quoted Abdallah as saying that two of the passengers arrived from Sao Paulo, Brazil en route Dubai were saved from premature death by the prompt intervention of narcotic officers at the airport.
“The suspects were in a critical health condition on arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport due to drug ingestion. They were immediately rushed to the hosptal for intensive medical care. All 137 wraps of cocaine ingested by the suspects have been successfully evacuated from their system and they are now in a stable condition.
“Three other suspects were arrested with dutyfree bag stocked with 3.3kg of cocaine hidden in chocolates and another 3.8 kg of cocaine hidden inside socks.
Drug ingestion is a very risky act that exposes drug traffickers to early graves. People must desist from such injurious acts, protect their precious lives as well as promote public well-being and safety,” the statement read.
The NDLEA boss said that all the five suspects would soon be charged to court. He warned Nigerians against dangerous and criminal acts that were inimical to their well-being, public health and safety. According to him, the agency will continue to protect lives and enhance public security by ensuring that narcotic drugs are only made available for medical and scientific purposes.
