Nigerian-Brazilian Businessman Caught Smuggling Cocaine In Stomach At Lagos Airport

LAGOS, NIGERIA – A 59-year-old businessman, Ezeokoli Sylva, has been arrested by the operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency  (NDLEA) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos for attempting to smuggle 700 grammes of cocaine into Nigeria.

Sylva, who had resided in Brazil for 35 years, was apprehended last Friday upon his arrival from Sao Paulo via Addis Ababa on an Ethiopian Airlines flight.

According to NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi, a body scan revealed foreign objects in Sylva’s stomach.

Under observation, he excreted 29 wraps containing the cocaine.  Sylva, who owns an African store in Brazil, claimed he intended to resell the drugs in Nigeria to raise capital for his business.

This arrest is just one of several significant drug busts reported by the NDLEA this past week.

On Tuesday, two consignments bound for the UK were intercepted by the Directorate of Investigation and General Investigation (DOGI).

These packages contained 200 grammes of cocaine hidden in local fabrics and 110 grammes of pentazocine injection concealed in cartons.

In Kano, three suspects – Jamilu Adamu (38), Umar Musa (32), and Bunu Ali (27) – were arrested with 2,000 ampoules of pentazocine injection and 3,135,000 exol-5 pills.

Meanwhile, a significant seizure of 2,120 kilogrammes of “Ghanaian Loud” cannabis was made at Ilesan beach in Lagos, with suspect Onibogi Muftau apprehended.

Four vehicles intended for transporting the drugs were also recovered. This follows a previous seizure of 472 kilogrammes of the same substance in Ogun state.

Further north, in Edo state, 185.6 kilogrammes of cannabis were seized, and two suspects, Monday Onyenemue (60) and Evans Omogiede (42), were arrested.

NDLEA Chairman/CEO Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) praised the agency’s officers for their continued successes in tackling drug trafficking and commended their balanced approach to both supply and demand reduction.

The agency continues its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization efforts nationwide.