by Adeola Balogun

A Nigerian artisan has been apprehended by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) after he was discovered with 57 wraps of cocaine.

Ogu Talent Okechukwu, a 29 year-old plumber, was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos while attempting to bring the drugs, amounting to 945 grammes, into the country from Brazil.

The suspect boarded an Etihad flight from Abu Dhabi and was caught after routine passenger screening showed the cocaine he had ingested.

The Nation reports:

The NDLEA Airport Commander, Hamza Umar, said that the suspect ingested a total of 57 wraps of cocaine packed in male condoms.

“The suspect, Ogu Talent Okechukwu excreted 57 wraps of powdery cocaine packed inside male condoms and sealed with cello-tape. It is a dangerous practice because many drug traffickers have died due to leakage in such wraps of narcotics,” Hamza stated.

He also added that the case was under investigation.

The suspect in his confessional statement said that he was lured into drug trafficking because of his inability to pay his 150,000 naira house rent.

“I am a plumber. I am married with two children and my wife just delivered our second baby. My problem was how to pay my rent of 150,000 naira. While looking for money I was introduced to drug trafficking.

“They promised me 300,000 naira if only I will bring drug from Brazil. My travel expenses were sponsored. While in Brazil, I was given 100 wraps of drugs to swallow but I could only take 57 because it was my first time and it was not easy to ingest. I feel very bad now, “Ogu who hails from Imo State told investigators.

The NDLEA Chairman, Ahmadu Giade, while commenting on the arrest called on members of the public to avoid crime and promote societal peace.