I swallowed 72 wraps of cocaine because of $5,000----drug baron

.....as NDLEA arrest suspects

Officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a trader and an apprentice for ingesting one hundred and thirty-two (132) wraps of cocaine weighing 2.7kg. The suspects were intercepted at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) Kano while returning from Kenya. They both tested positive for drug ingestion during inward screening of passengers on an Ethiopian Airline flight.

NDLEA commander at the Kano airport, Mr. Ambrose Umoru gave the names of the suspects as Otaka Patrick Kalu, 48 years old trader who ingested 72 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.450kg while David Ikechukwu, 32, year old apprentice at Alaba market ingested 60 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.250kg. “The suspects were nabbed on their way from Kenya. Interim investigation revealed that they were recruited by one source and were promised the sum of 5,000 dollars each” Ambrose stated.

 Otaka Patrick Kalu who resides in Aba told investigators that he smuggled drugs to pay his children school fees. “I sell clothes in Aba but my business has suffered serious setbacks. I am married and have three children and life is becoming unbearable on daily basis. I could not further my education after my secondary school. I got involved in drug trafficking to pay my children school fees but I am regretting my action.

I swallowed 72 wraps of cocaine because of 5,000 dollars” Otaka stated. He hails from Ohafia, Abia State.

The second suspect, David Ikechukwu who lives in Lagos said that financial hardship pushed him into drug trafficking. In his words, “I am an apprentice at Alaba Market, Lagos where I am learning how to sell Kitchen equipment. I am married with a child but I am unable to take care of my family. I swallowed 60 wraps and would have been paid the sum of 5,000 dollars”. He hails from Orlu in Imo State.

Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA Ahmadu Giade said that the suspect’s action is shameful and risky. “This is a serious problem because besides the health hazard involved, they will also lack the moral confidence to correct their children” Giade stated.

The NDLEA boss commended the officers for arresting the suspects and intercepting the drug because Kenya is not a source point for cocaine. He also assured that the Agency shall remain vigilant in frustrating the plans of drug barons.