Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted 24 parcels of cocaine concealed in 12 tyres of lawnmowers allegedly imported into the country through the Port Harcourt International Airport.
The illicit drugs weighing 4.56 kilograms were said to be in the possession of a Brazilian returnee identified as Okechukwu Francis Amaechi.
A statement by the NDLEA Director, Media, and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, on Sunday in Abuja, said the 45-year-old ex-convict from Idemili South LGA, Anambra State, was arrested at the Port Harcourt Airport on Saturday, May 7 upon his arrival from Brazil via Doha onboard Qatar Airline flight QR1433.
Babafemi disclosed that preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect, who was arrested and convicted in Brazil for drug offenses, completed his jail term in March.
According to the statement, “Curiously, each parcel concealed in the tyres of the three lawnmowers bears some unique inscriptions, which are believed to be means of identification of the owners of the drug.
“The two parcels in one of the tyres of the first lawnmower bear “O LORD” and “HAVE MERCY”.
“The parcels in one of the tyres of the second mower bear the inscription; “IN GOD” and “WE TRUST”, while the third mower has “IJIOMA” and “186.6” inscribed on the two parcels hidden in one of its tyres.”
The NDLEA spokesman said that the suspect claimed that one of his church members gave him the lawnmowers to deliver to his brother in Port Harcourt.
He further quoted the Chairman, NDLEA, retired Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa as saying that the war against drug abuse and trafficking is one that must be won.
