A 38-year-old businessman, Philip Tunde, who concealed 4.80kg cocaine in his shoes and travel bags travelling to Italy, has been arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.
NDLEA made the arrest at the joint screening point of Terminal 2, where the suspect was preparing to board a Royal Air Maroc flight to Milan.
Mr Femi Babafemi, NDLEA Director, Media and Advocacy, said in a statement on Sunday in Abuja that operatives conducted a thorough search of the suspect and his luggage.
The search led to the recovery of 16 parcels of a white powdery substance concealed in the soles of eight pairs of trainers and canvas shoes.
Another 195 wraps of the substance were found hidden in the railings of four travelling bags.
The substances tested positive for cocaine and had a combined weight of 4.80kg.
During interrogation, the suspect told NDLEA operatives that he paid N16 million in cash for the cocaine concealed in the shoes.
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He also said the consignment hidden in the travel bags was intended for delivery to his partner in Italy.
The suspect said he raised the money used to purchase the cocaine from compensation he received after suffering an injury while working at a plastic manufacturing company in Italy.
He said the injury resulted in the loss of the tips of two fingers.
Meanwhile, NDLEA commands and formations across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization campaigns in schools, worship centers, workplaces and communities.
The agency conducted WADA enlightenment lectures at St. Paul’s Secondary School, Oji, Enugu State; Olu-Odo Primary School, Igbogbo, Ikorodu, Lagos State; and Government Junior Secondary School, Tsamiya, Kano State.
The sensitization campaign also covered Christ’s School, Ado Ekiti, and Government Science Secondary School, Lokoja, Kogi State.
NAN
