Paris-Bound Businessman Arrested After Excreting 111 Cocaine Wraps

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) announced that a Paris-bound businessman was arrested after he was found to have ingested 111 wraps of cocaine, at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. The suspect, Emmanuel Orjinze, was detained during the security clearance of an Air France flight destined for Paris.

Emmanuel Orjinze, 48, was taken into custody after a body scan revealed the presence of illicit substances. The NDLEA officials kept him under observation, during which he excreted 111 pellets of cocaine over three days, weighing a total of 1.603 kilograms.

Orjinze, who also claimed to be a professional footballer seeking opportunities in Europe, explained that he was involved in the maritime business alongside his sports aspirations. The arrest sheds light on the desperate lengths individuals will go to smuggle drugs across borders. The NDLEA’s efforts did not stop at the airport in Abuja.

Spokesperson Femi Babafemi reported that a significant drug trafficking network was dismantled at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. The operation resulted in the arrest of four individuals and the seizure of substantial quantities of methamphetamine and Loud, a potent synthetic cannabis strain, imported from South Africa.

Babafemi detailed how the breakthrough occurred when an airport official was caught with a backpack filled with drugs during a routine check. This led to a rapid operation in the Ajao Estate area, resulting in more arrests and the exposure of a well-organized drug syndicate operating within the airport’s ecosystem.

Other cases of arrests at the same time

In related incidents across Lagos, NDLEA officers made several arrests, including that of a freight agent caught trying to export cocaine hidden in paint buckets. At another location, a suspect was found manufacturing scoochies, a dangerous mix of black currant juice and narcotics, leading to the seizure of thousands of liters of the concoction.

The agency’s nationwide operations also netted arrests in Edo and Katsina, showcasing the persistent challenge of drug trafficking in Nigeria. Among those detained was a physically challenged drug dealer in Auchi, found in possession of various narcotics, highlighting the diverse profiles of those involved in the drug trade.