Written by
Ishioma Appiah Yeboah
A dramatic drug bust at Lagos airport has led to the arrest of a Brazil-based Nigerian businessman allegedly caught with liquid cocaine hidden in clothing.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, says 41-year-old Abugu Oliver Ikechukwu was intercepted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, shortly after arriving from São Paulo, Brazil, through Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
According to the agency in a statement signed by the Director, Media and Advocacy Femi Babafemi, a detailed search of his luggage uncovered 14 shirts and towels allegedly impregnated with 6.10 kilograms of liquid cocaine.
The NDLEA says the items had been soaked, dried, and neatly ironed in an attempt to evade detection.
The suspect reportedly told investigators that he has lived in Brazil for more than 14 years, where he operates an African restaurant. He claimed he travelled to Nigeria to visit his wife and purchase food supplies for his business.
NDLEA says investigations into the case are ongoing.