Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos have apprehended a 35-year-old citizen of Sierra Leone in connection with illegal importation of cocaine from Brazil. The suspect was arrested during inward screening of Etihad passengers at the arrival hall of the airport. Parcels of cocaine weighing 3.910kg were discovered inside tablets of soap in his luggage. The estimated worth of the drug is 35 million naira.
The NDLEA Airport commander, Mr. Hamza Umar gave the name of the suspect as Sesay Michael. “A suspected drug trafficker by name Sesay Michael with a Republic of Sierra Leone international passport number E0033840 is under investigation for cocaine importation. The drug weighing 3.910kg was industrially concealed in tablets of soap inside his luggage. It was a clever means of concealment but not good enough to escape our notice” Hamza stated.
In his confessional statement, Sesay Michael described his arrest as painful. “I am from Freetown, Sierra Leone. A businessman and I sell clothes in Sao Paulo, Brazil and in Conakry, Guinea. When I arrived at the Lagos airport from Brazil, NDLEA demanded to search my luggage and the drug was found inside the tablets of soap. I am a single father and I do not have somebody to take care of my child. It is a very painful experience to me because I never thought of arrest” Sesay stated.
Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade commended the arresting officers for the discovery. “This seizure will definitely send a warning signal to drug barons that the Agency is determined to detect hidden drugs. We are working very hard to prevent the use of our airports, seaports and land borders from being used for drug trafficking” Giade stated.
The suspect will soon be charged to court.
Ofoyeju Mitchell
Head, Public Affairs
