NDLEA Busts Brazil Returnee Hiding Cocaine in Thigh and Shoes, Seizes 9,939kg Drugs in Massive Raids

By Linda Ike

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a Brazil-based Nigerian businessman at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) after discovering 1.60kg of cocaine concealed in his private part and shoe soles.

Uche Franklin Onyekwere, 47, from São Paulo where he’s run a toy business since 2008, was nabbed on January 29 during screening of a South African Airways flight from Brazil through Johannesburg.

A body scan led to a strip search revealing the drugs wrapped around his thigh and in flat shoe soles.

“I bought the cocaine in Brazil to sell here, boost my business, and fund my newborn’s naming ceremony,” Onyekwere confessed during interrogation.

The bust kicked off a wave of seizures totaling over 9,939kg of cannabis strains like Loud, Skunk, and Colos, and opioids, across multiple states.

Lagos Tincan Seaport on Jan 28, 1,183kg Canadian Loud hidden in vehicles during joint ops with Customs.
Niger on Jan 26, 2,735kg skunk and 1kg Colorado in a truck; three arrests including driver Kenneth Ogene, who loaded in Lagos and picked up drugs in Edo for N1.7m.

Edo, Jan 27-28, 792kg skunk in charcoal bags, one arrest,, farm raid destroyed 4,063kg skunk, seized 328kg more four arrests.
Anambra , Jan 28, 345kg skunk in cement truck , one arrest.
Ondo , Jan 26, 473kg skunk two arrests. Kano , Jan 26-27, 12,500 pentazocine ampoules and 4,390 tramadol pills, two arrests.

Other spots including 15.5kg skunk in Lagos Jan 30, 3.5kg at Seme border , Jan 27.

NDLEA also ramped up anti-drug sensitisation in schools and communities nationwide.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa commended the teams.

“This professionalism across commands shows our balanced fight against drug supply and demand is working. Keep it up.” He urged.

The agency vows relentless action amid Nigeria’s drug war.