Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested an Ivorian national and a Nigerian medical doctor over alleged involvement in cocaine trafficking.
The agency disclosed that the Ivorian suspect, Gohouri Michael, 41, was apprehended at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Milan, Italy, via Addis Ababa.
According to NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi, the suspect was found to have ingested 82 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.49kg.
“Gohouri had arrived in Lagos from Milan and moved between Lagos and Enugu before travelling to Kano, where he ingested the drugs. He was to be paid €5,000 upon delivery,” the statement said.
Alleged mastermind
Further investigations led to the arrest of a suspected coordinator, Chudi Ofomata, a 69-year-old doctor, in Ogun State.
NDLEA operatives tracked him to his residence in Magboro, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area, where he was arrested and later transferred to Kano.
The agency said substances including promazepam and promethazine injections were recovered from him at the time of arrest.
Lagos interception
In a separate operation in Lagos, NDLEA operatives intercepted a bus belonging to Chisco Transport along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway.
A search of the vehicle revealed 15 kilograms of skunk concealed in a compartment, leading to the arrest of two suspects.
Nationwide operations
The agency also recorded multiple arrests and seizures across states as part of efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks.
In Abia State, a 90-year-old suspect was arrested with 7.7 kilograms of skunk, while in Ogun State, three individuals were apprehended with 34 kilograms of the substance.
In Imo State, a 26-year-old woman was arrested with 56.2 kilograms, and in Niger State, a couple was apprehended after 118 kilograms of skunk were recovered from their residence.
In Borno State, operatives intercepted a trailer loaded with controlled substances including Rohypnol tablets, codeine syrup, and pentazocine injections.
Additionally, in Mushin, Lagos, officials seized 26,800 bottles of codeine-based syrup and arrested two suspects.
The arrests highlight intensified efforts by the NDLEA to combat drug trafficking and dismantle criminal networks across Nigeria, amid growing concerns over illicit drug distribution and abuse.
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