A 52-year old man, Onyejiaju Augustine was arrested by the Officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
Onyejiaju who had been on the list of wanted drug barons was caught with 2.605 kilogrammes of cocaine packed as candies during the screening of passengers in the airport who were travelling to Etihad.
This arrest was confirmed by the NDLEA spokesperson, Michelle Ofoyeju and Commander of the agency at the airport, Mr. Umar Hamza.
The suspect had earlier departed Sao Paulo, Brazil with the disguised drugs undetected but was however apprehended by the NDLEA officials in Lagos.
Speaking to news correspondents, Mr. Umar Hamza said, “We made a shocking discovery of 2.605kg of cocaine carefully and neatly packed as candies. The suspect has been arrested and currently under investigation in connection with unlawful possession of cocaine.”
He also disclosed that the suspect had confessed to the crime and would soon be charged to court.
“Augustine, who was said to have posed as a shop owner to deceive the officials that the cocaine was candies, said, “I own a supermarket in Brazil where I had lived since 2006. I bought the cocaine and concealed it as candies. It was unfortunate that the trick was discovered,” he added.
The Chairman, NDLEA, Mr. Ahmadu Giade, said the arrest was as a result of the agency’s surveillance.
“This arrest is an indication that the agency is making remarkable progress in undercover operations. The suspect has been under surveillance for some years following his alleged role in illicit drug concealment for drug mules” he said.
