Operatives of Nigeria’s Anti-narcotic agency, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have intercepted 24 parcels of cocaine concealed in 12 tyres of lawn mowers imported into the country through the Port Harcourt International Airport, PHIA by a Brazilian returnee, Okechukwu Francis Amaechi.
The Director Media and advocacy of the agency Mr. Femi Babafemi in a press statement said Amaechi 45, has just finished serving his jail term for drug trafficking in the South American country.
“The 45-year-old ex-convict from Idemili South LGA, Anambra State was arrested at the Port Harcourt airport on Saturday 7th May upon his arrival from Brazil via Doha onboard Qatar Airline flight QR1433.” See below:
It says, Preliminary investigations revealed Okechukwu who was arrested and convicted in Brazil for drug offences completed serving his jail sentence in March 2022, after which he decided to return to Nigeria with three new lawn mowers where he concealed 24 parcels of cocaine weighing 4.56kg.
“Curiously, each parcel concealed in the tyres of the three lawn mowers bears some unique inscriptions, which are believed to be means of identification of the owners of the drug. The two parcels in one of the tyres of the first lawn mower bear “O LORD” and “HAVE MERCY”.
“The parcels in one of the tyres of the second mower bears the inscription “IN GOD” and “WE TRUST”, while the third mower has “IJIOMA” and “186.6” inscribed on the two parcels hidden in one of its tyres.”
In other operations across Zamfara, Kogi, Rivers, Kaduna and Kano state, NDLEA operatives interested 37, 876 tablets of pharmaceutical opioids especially Tramadol; 10,884 bottles of codeine and 825.016 kilograms of cannabis sativa during raids in the past week. Pictured below:
While commending the officers and men of PHIA, Zamfara, Kogi, Rivers, Kaduna and Kano commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures, the Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) said, the war against drug abuse and trafficking is one that must be won.
He charged all commands of the Agency to remain on the offensive against the cartels as they take advocacy messages to communities and schools.
Ime N
