A 54-year-old woman, identified as Sulaimon Kudirat Aduni, been arrested at the Muritala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos by the National Drug Law and Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for ingesting 60 wraps of cocaine.
According to MMIA NDLEA Commander, Ahmed Garba, the woman was arrested at the screening point during an outward clearance of passengers at the airport.
“On October 26, 2019 at about 7:25am, one Sulaimon Kudirat Aduni, F, 54 years old from Abeokuta, Ogun State was arrested at the screening point 1 of the MMIA during outward clearance of passengers at the said control post. She was to board Virgin Atlantic flight to London, the United Kingdom.
“After a brief interview and profiling of the suspect at the interdiction point, she was referred for a body scan and the result proved positive for ingestion of suspected hard drug. The suspect was immediately placed on excretion observation at the NDLEA office.
“On October 27, 2019 at about 8am the suspect developed some complications, vomited 2 wraps of suspected substance resulting from irritation and stomach discomfort. She had some cough intermittently before the vomit.
The suspect fainted in the process and she was promptly rushed to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).
“The suspect was examined at the hospital by a team of medical specialist, ultrasound scan performed and CT scan was later recommended which was immediately carried out on the suspect. She was returned to custody after she was certified stable by the medical professionals. The suspect has so far excreted 28 wraps of suspected hard drug.
“During preliminary interview, the suspect admitted that she ingested a total of 60 wraps of suspected hard drug. A field test carried out on a sample of the excreted substance proved positive to cocaine.
“Investigation is ongoing in order to unravel other possible associates that are linked to the case,” Garba said.
The NDLEA boss also disclosed that a 45-year-old man, Adindu Obinna Hyacinth, who ingested 93 wraps of heroin, was arrested earlier in August by his officials at the airport.
“On August 12, 2019 at about 9:30pm, one Adindu Obinna Hyacinth, M, 45 years old from Nnewi, Anambra State, was arrested at screening point 2 of the MMIA. He was to board Lufthansa flight to Frankfurt.
“After brief interview and profiling of the suspect at the interdiction point, he was referred for a body scan and the result proved positive for ingestion of suspected hard drug. The suspect was immediately placed on excretion observation at the NDLEA office.
“In the process of excretion, the suspect first excreted 35 wraps of suspected hard drug and it was observed that one of the excreted wraps was almost unwrapped. The management promptly referred the suspect for medical attention at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).
“The suspect was observed at the hospital by a team of medical specialist and later administered some medications. Subsequently, he excreted a total of 93 wraps of suspected hard drug with a total weight of 1.620kg.
“Preliminary test conducted on samples of the recovered substance proved positive to heroin. Investigation so far revealed that the suspect has got some associates and measures are however at an advanced stage to bring to book his cohorts,” Garba said.
Garba pleaded with would-be drug traffickers to desist from the act, as they may not live to enjoy the money they have acquired.
“Even if you are able to beat security agents, you can die in the process, so why even trying it? Recently we have three cases that were really serious and they resulted in death. Nigerians should steer clear of drug trafficking especially ingestion,” he said.
He said in the third quarter of 2019, 24 suspected drug couriers – 22 males and two females – were arrested at the Lagos airport.
“The drug seized during the period under review were cocaine weighing 12.629kg, heroin weighing 0.320kg, methamphetamine weighing 36.860kg and cannabis sativa popularly known as Indian hemp weighing 49.702kg. A total of 99.511kg of illicit drugs were seized,” he added.
