The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has revealed the arrest of a Brazil-based businessman, Ezeokoli Sylva, who returned to Nigeria with 700 grams of cocaine concealed inside his body.
NDLEA operatives apprehended the 59-year-old suspect on Friday, 29th November 2024, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport’s E-Arrival Hall in Ikeja, Lagos. Sylva had traveled from Sao Paulo, Brazil, on an Ethiopia Airlines flight via Addis Ababa, after spending 35 years abroad.
According to the agency’s statement, a body scan confirmed the presence of foreign objects in the suspect’s stomach. During excretion observation, Sylva expelled 29 wrapped packages that tested positive for cocaine, weighing 700 grams.
In his statement to investigators, Sylva claimed to operate an African store in Brazil, selling provisions, shoes, and clothes. He admitted to purchasing the illicit cocaine consignment in Sao Paulo with the intention of reselling it in Nigeria to generate additional capital for his business.
The NDLEA also reported multiple other drug interception operations during the same period. On Tuesday, 26th November, the agency’s Directorate of Investigation and General Investigation (DOGI) intercepted two consignments bound for the United Kingdom. These included 200 grams of cocaine concealed in local fabrics and 40 ampoules of pentazocine injection weighing 110 grams.
In Kano, NDLEA operatives arrested three suspects – Jamilu Adamu, Umar Musa, and Bunu Ali – seizing 2,000 ampoules of pentazocine injection and 3,135,000 exol-5 pills at Gadar Tamburawa, Zaria Road.
The agency also reported significant cannabis seizures, including 2,120 kilograms of Ghanaian Loud cannabis at Ilesan beach in Lagos, with suspect Onibogi Muftau taken into custody. Four vehicles intended to transport the shipment were also recovered.
In Edo State, NDLEA operatives arrested Monday Onyenemue and Evans Omogiede, recovering 185.6 kilograms of cannabis and a Toyota Previa bus during an intelligence-led raid in Benin City.
NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the agency’s officers for their operational successes, praising their balanced approach to drug supply and demand reduction efforts.
