The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has intercepted cocaine consignments and arrested five traffickers at Port Harcourt International airport.
Those arrested were identified as, Udogwu James Johnson, Ezekwueme Ifeanyi Valentine, Chiezie Ikechukwu Arinze, Uchechukwu Onwugbufor, Uwogu Ezimadu.
A statement by Femi Babafemi said the five suspects were arrested at the Port Harcourt International Airport, on Saturday 9th April while trying to smuggle large consignment of cocaine into the country from Brazil.
He said three of them were arrested during the inward screening of passengers on board Qatar Airline flight QR1433 from Doha to Port Harcourt.
According to him, “the three suspects departed Sao Paulo, Brazil on board same Qatar flight, en-route Doha to Abuja and Port Harcourt with a total of 24.96 kilograms of cocaine.
“The first is 51-year-old Udogwu James Johnson who hails from Orlu LGA, Imo state.
“He was arrested with 5.48kg of cocaine concealed in lotion plastic bottles sealed with candle wax. He claimed he agreed to traffic the drug for a fee of N1million.
Also arrested is Ezekwueme Ifeanyi Valentine, 32, from Aguata LGA, Anambra State, who was caught with 10.82kg cocaine packed in 84 sachets concealed in seven duvets, while the third trafficker, Chiezie Ikechukwu Arinze, 35, from Dunukofia LGA, Anambra State, was arrested with 8.66kg cocaine hidden in 115 golden and silver colour 30ml breakable bottles factory packaged with lotion on top.
The fourth suspect, Uchechukwu Onwugbufor, 42, from Idemili North LGA, Anambra State, was arrested at the airport car park while waiting to receive one of the traffickers, Udogwu James and his consignment. He claimed he was contacted by someone in Brazil to receive Udogwu and lead him to Lagos for a fee of N100, 000.
Uchechukwu Onwugbufor was at the Airport with his neigbour, Nwogu Ezimadu, who is equally being investigated to determine if he’s complicit in the crime or not.
