Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
LAGOS, Nigeria – The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a Lagos-based businessman for allegedly attempting to smuggle cocaine to India while recovering illicit drugs valued at more than N3.6 billion during separate operations across Lagos State.
The agency said the suspect, Nwankwo Onyebuchi, 48, was arrested at the departure hall of Terminal II of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport while preparing to board a Qatar Airways flight to New Delhi.
NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi disclosed the development in a statement on Sunday, saying operatives discovered 1.550 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed inside the walls and railings of the suspect’s checked luggage during a routine search.
According to the agency, Onyebuchi allegedly told investigators he sold his marble business and other personal assets to raise N23 million, which he reportedly used to purchase the cocaine.
He allegedly planned to sell the drugs in India for approximately N100 million.
Babafemi said the suspect remains in NDLEA custody and will be prosecuted in accordance with the law after investigations are concluded.
In another operation based on intelligence, NDLEA officers raided a warehouse within a residential compound on Hakeem Dosumu Street, Ago Palace, Okota, where they recovered 377,600 bottles of codeine-based syrup packed in 3,776 cartons.
The agency valued the seized controlled substances at more than N2.6 billion, describing the operation as one of the largest recent recoveries of codeine syrup in Lagos.
Operatives also raided the residence of a suspected drug trafficker, Shoremi Kayode, 55, in Ipaja Estate, where they recovered 324 kilograms of Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis estimated to have a street value of N972 million.
A Mercedes-Benz vehicle and a Toyota Corolla were also recovered during the operation.
About the Author
Mirian Gom 
Korede Abdullah 
Oluwatobi Adu