Businessman sells assets to finance N23m cocaine deal, arrested at Lagos airport

Businessman Arrested at Lagos Airport for Cocaine Smuggling

A 48-year-old businessman, Nwankwo Innocent Onyebuchi, was apprehended by agents of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos while allegedly attempting to travel to New Delhi, India, with 1.550 kilograms of cocaine concealed in his luggage.

Onyebuchi, whose business involves selling marbles, was arrested at the departure hall of Terminal II while preparing to board a Qatar Airways flight. According to NDLEA officials, the cocaine was ingeniously hidden within the side walls and railings of his checked bag. A subsequent search revealed the concealed drugs.

The NDLEA reported that the arrest is part of its ongoing efforts to combat illegal drug trafficking. During questioning, Onyebuchi claimed he had liquidated his marble business and sold off all his assets to accumulate ₦23 million, which he used to purchase the cocaine. He allegedly intended to sell the drugs in India for a profit of up to ₦100 million.

Onyebuchi remains in custody awaiting prosecution.

In a separate operation, the NDLEA seized a significant quantity of codeine-based syrup in Lagos. Acting on reliable intelligence, agents conducted a raid on a warehouse located at 20 Hakeem Dosumu Street in the Ago Palace area over the weekend, confiscating 3,776 cartons containing 377,600 bottles of the controlled substance, with an estimated value exceeding ₦2.6 billion.

Additionally, operatives raided the residence of 55-year-old Shoremi Kayode in Ipaja on August 14, recovering 324 kilograms of Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis, valued at ₦972 million. They also seized a Mercedes-Benz and a Toyota Corolla from the site.

In Kwara State, two suspects—50-year-old Abubakar Adamu and 30-year-old Bilyaminu Nuhu—were arrested on August 13 with 55.96 kilograms of skunk in a marked truck.

In Oyo State, NDLEA officers patrolling the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway apprehended Abdulfatai Oyelaran, 70, and Abdulrauf Ajadi, 50, on August 12. A search of their vehicle uncovered 52,000 ampoules of pentazocine injection and 6,000 ampoules of tramadol injection.

Further north, on August 12, another operation on the Onitsha/Asaba Expressway led to the arrest of Osaro Ikpoba, 43, and Samuel Godbless, 18, who were found with an extensive array of controlled substances, including 124,100 tramadol pills and various other drugs.

Another suspect, Emeka Tony, 50, was arrested along the Kwale/Ozoro Expressway with 1,244 cartridges and ₦8 million in cash.

In Plateau State, authorities intercepted a vehicle along the Riyom/Jos Road, recovering 239,490 capsules of Tramaforce and arresting suspect Kasum Sherif.

Six individuals were apprehended along the Zaria-Kano Road in Kano State on August 10, with large quantities of opioids, including 728,958 pills of tramadol and additional controlled substances.

In Edo State, NDLEA agents discovered 4,628.9775 kilograms of skunk on two cannabis farms and arrested Agholor Elebojie, 40, on August 12. Another suspect, Kingsley Anigala, 28, was taken into custody on August 14 with 25.857 kilograms of Loud and methamphetamine.

Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, commended the efforts of officers across various commands for their significant arrests and seizures during the week. He emphasized the importance of balancing efforts to reduce both the supply and demand for illicit drugs.

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