NDLEA Apprehends Convicted Drug Trafficker Again With 19.4kg Of Cocaine

Lagos, Nigeria – Christian Ogbuji, a Nigerian businessman, has been apprehended once more by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), just 16 months after serving a two-year sentence for ingesting 93 cocaine pellets.

This time, the 48-year-old was caught attempting to import a staggering 817 wraps of cocaine weighing 19.4 kilogrammes, with an estimated street value of more than N4.6 billion.

Ogbuji’s initial arrest in May 2023 at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport for ingesting cocaine resulted in his conviction and subsequent release after paying an N3 million fine.

He was also required to give up his international passport, USD 14, and 9000 Ugandan shillings.

Despite his previous conviction, Ogbuji attempted to resume his illegal activities at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

He was apprehended on September 18th, 2024, following a thorough operation by NDLEA officers.

According to NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, Ogbuji tried to deceive officers by leaving a backpack containing cocaine at the baggage carousel after his travel bag was cleared.

His plan backfired when vigilant officers apprehended him and performed a secondary search, revealing the hidden drugs.

Investigations revealed that Ogbuji is a key figure in a drug trafficking network that includes Brazil, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and West African countries such as Benin, Togo, Ghana, Liberia, and Cote d’Ivoire.

In response to the arrest, NDLEA Chairman/CEO Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) praised the agency’s officers for their vigilance and diligence.

The seizure of such a large amount of cocaine, he stated, is a significant blow to international drug cartels and reinforces the agency’s commitment to disrupting their operations in Nigeria.

Ogbuji’s re-arrest highlights Nigeria’s persistent drug trafficking problem.

It also demonstrates the importance of law enforcement agencies maintaining vigilance and taking proactive measures to combat transnational crime.