Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested a 59-year-old businessman who allegedly attempted to smuggle 700 grams of cocaine in his stomach through Lagos’ main airport, officials said Sunday.
Ezeokoli Sylva, who had lived in Brazil for 35 years, was apprehended Friday at the E-Arrival hall of Murtala Muhammed International Airport after arriving on an Ethiopian Airlines flight from São Paulo via Addis Ababa.
NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi said body scanning revealed foreign objects in Sylva’s stomach. Under observation, the suspect expelled 29 wraps that tested positive for cocaine.
“In his statement, the suspect claimed he operates an African store in Brazil where he sells provisions, shoes, and clothes,” Babafemi said. “He added that he bought the illicit consignment in São Paulo to resell in Nigeria to raise substantial capital to boost his business.”
PUNCHNG
