Lagos Airport Busts 59-Year-Old Man Returning from Brazil with Coc@ine in His Stomach
A 59-year-old businessman, Ezeokoli Sylva, has been apprehended by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for smuggling coc@ine into Nigeria. Sylva was intercepted at the E-Arrival Hall of Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) on Friday, November 29, 2024, upon his return from Sao Paulo, Brazil, via an Ethiopian Airlines flight transiting through Addis Ababa.
According to Femi Babafemi, NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, a body scan revealed foreign objects concealed within Sylva’s stomach. Following this discovery, he was placed under observation and later excreted 29 wraps of coc@ine weighing 700 grams.
In a statement, Babafemi said, “After 35 years in Brazil, businessman Ezeokoli Sylva returned home with 700 grams of coc@ine buried in his stomach. This was uncovered following his arrest at the Lagos airport. The victim claimed he purchased the illicit drugs in Sao Paulo with plans to resell them in Nigeria, aiming to raise capital to expand his business.”
Sylva reportedly operates an African store in Brazil, selling provisions, clothing, and shoes. He admitted to smuggling the drugs to fund the growth of his enterprise.
The arrest comes as part of NDLEA’s intensified efforts to curb drug trafficking in Nigeria. Babafemi further revealed that NDLEA officers also intercepted two separate consignments of drugs destined for the United Kingdom on Tuesday, November 26, 2024.
One shipment contained 200 grams of coc@ine concealed in local fabrics, while the other included 40 ampoules of pentazocine injections weighing 110 grams hidden in cartons. Both seizures were made at a Lagos-based courier company.
The agency promised to investigate the cases while reinforcing its commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks and prosecuting offenders. NDLEA’s ongoing operations highlight the growing complexities of international drug smuggling and the need for vigilant border security.
Sylva’s arrest serves as a stern reminder of the risks involved in drug trafficking and the agency’s resolve to combat illicit drug activities, ensuring that offenders face the full weight of the law.
