Luck has ran out on two Brazilians drug traffickers trying to import canned cocaine into Nigeria through the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos.
Nigeria-Brazil cocaine trafficking route has gained notoriety over the years; but this is the first arrest of Brazilians with cocaine at the Lagos airport. The tins were factory-sealed such that officers had to cut it open to discover the concealed drugs. Several canned drugs had been uncovered at the Lagos airport in the past. This development has not come as a surprise to narcotic investigators because drug cartels are always adopting new strategies of smuggling drugs.
NDLEA Commander at the Lagos airport, Ahmadu Garba gave the names of the suspects as Dias Dos Santos Marcia Cristina, 36, found with 9.400kg of cocaine in her bag and Lima Pereira Erick Diego, 20, found with 14.465kg of cocaine in his bag. In his words, “two Brazilian drug suspects, a male and a female have been arrested with cocaine at the arrival hall of the airport. The arrest took place during the inward screening of passengers on an Emirates flight. The suspects travelled together from Sao Paulo, Brazil. During search operation, a total of 23.865kg of cocaine was found on them”.
The Agency has also concluded arrangement to arraign the suspects in court. Meanwhile, the suspects said that they are in Nigeria to visit several tourist attraction centres.
NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (retd.) described narcotic interdiction at the Lagos airport as impressive and commendable.
The NDLEA boss while commending the arresting officers also assured members of the public of diligent prosecution of the suspects.