Man dies after ingesting 55 wraps of cocaine

32-year-old Lagos-based trader and suspected drug trafficker has died of cocaine ingestion at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
This came as operatives of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, yesterday arrested a 46 years old passenger with $2,198,900 (N437.3 million) at the domestic wing of Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos....

The dead suspect, identified as Ndulue Emmanuel Obiefuna, who was an intending passenger on an Ethiopian Airlines flight to China, en route Addis Ababa, on July 5, collapsed at the departure hall after ingesting about 55 wraps of cocaine, weighing 1.20 kilogrammes and was taken to a nearby hospital.
Disclosing this development to newsmen, NDLEA Commandant at Abuja airport, Mr. Hamisu Lawan, said the suspect confessed to cocaine ingestion on his hospital bed.
He said: “The deceased collapsed at the departure hall and was being attended to by Port Health officials. The collapse triggered our suspicion and a narcotics officer was assigned to monitor the development.”
Lawan said after the suspect confessed, NDLEA took over the case from Port Health Services, adding that the suspect died few minutes later.
He said: “He collapsed immediately he notified the airline officials of his intention to cancel his trip.
“At the hospital, 55 wraps of substances that tested positive for cocaine, with a total weight of 1.20kg, were evacuated from his stomach.”
It’s suicide—NDLEA boss
Chairman of NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, who described narcotic ingestion as a suicide mission, said: “Ingesting narcotics is a suicide mission. I sympathise with the family members. Drug trafficking is a serious crime.
“People must shun drug trafficking and support the anti-drug campaign. We must collectively intensify counter-narcotics efforts by talking to at least one person daily on the dangers of drugs and benefits of a drug-free society.”
The 46 years old passenger arrested with $2,198,900 (N437.3 million) on his way to Abuja at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, Mr. Ibiteye John Bamidele, was accused by NDLEA operatives of money laundering.
Giade directed that the suspect and the exhibit (money) be transferred to Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for further action.
He said: “The outcome of preliminary investigation did not link the money to proceeds of narcotics. I have, therefore, directed that the suspect be transferred to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for further investigations.”
‘I’m a bureau de change operator’
However, the suspect, who claimed to be a bureau de change operator, said: “I used to work for Ebi Bureau De Change at the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, before I established my company with the name ND&C Global Investment Limited, which is yet to be fully registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC.
“One of my clients (names withheld) gave me the said amount to take to Abuja. I was arrested by NDLEA officers while checking in the money at MMA2 on my way to Abuja.”
vanguardngr