Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), have arrested a 5-man drug trafficking syndicate, consisting of a 28-year-old Enugu State indigene, Nonso Akubueze, and four others, for trafficking 11.5 kilogrammes of cocaine valued at N57 million from Brazil into Nigeria.

DAILY POST gathered that the group was arrested at the Muritala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos. The four other co-conspirators who hail from Anambra State, were identified as Obidike Onodyer, Emma Ifoh, Simon Omoluonye and Friday Onyeabor.

On interrogation, one of the arrested men, Simon Omoluonye, who was caught with both white and crack cocaine in tins weighing 7.8kg, said he was to be paid N1 m for trafficking the banned substance.

He said, “I planned to use the money to further my education and start up a business.”

40-year-old Obidike confessed that he was paid N200, 000 for the 11 wraps of cocaine he swallowed.

Nonso, who alleged he was a graduate of Economics from one of the Nigerian universities, was found with 1.1kg of cocaine hidden in his luggage.

He said, “I graduated in 2009 and have no job yet. I left Nigeria in search of job opportunities and greener pastures but my expectations were ruined when I got to Brazil.

“My condition of living in Brazil was worse than when I was in Nigeria. It was my friend who gave me the bag containing the drug.

“Drug trafficking was my last option to free myself from the harsh condition of living in Brazil,” Nonso stated. “But unfortunately,” he continued, “I could only swallow 11 wraps so I was paid N200, 000.”

Nonso reportedly had 1.1kg by the side of his luggage while Onodyer ingested 11 wraps of cocaine weighing 0.5 grammes.

Friday was found with 74 wraps weighing 1.3kg and Emma was caught with 34 wraps weighing 0.7 grammes.

The NDLEA commander at the MMIA, Mr. Hamza Umar, reacting to their arrest, said different methods were adopted in concealing the drugs and the confiscated drugs included white and crack cocaine concealed in tins, among others.