The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested 38-year-old businessman Philip Tunde with 4.80kg of cocaine allegedly concealed in the soles of eight pairs of trainers and canvas shoes, as well as the railings of four travelling bags at Lagos airport.
Tunde was arrested on September 27 at the joint screening point of Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport while preparing to board a Royal Air Maroc flight to Milan, Italy. NDLEA said operatives recovered 16 parcels from the shoes and 195 wraps from the travelling bags, all of which tested positive for cocaine.
According to the agency, Tunde allegedly told investigators that he paid ₦16 million in cash for the cocaine concealed in the shoes, while the consignment hidden in the bags was meant for delivery to a partner in Italy. He reportedly said the money came from compensation for an injury he sustained while working at a plastic manufacturing company in Italy.
The NDLEA also announced separate interceptions of cannabis and codeine-based syrup consignments worth more than ₦5 billion at the Apapa, Tin Can Island and Onne ports. The agency said the seizures followed intelligence gathering and tracking of the shipments from their ports of origin.
Daily Times
