Trader imports cocaine through female shoes

A suspected drug smuggler, Solomon Mama, has been arrested by officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency with 2.2 kilogrammes of a substance that tested positive for cocaine.

PUNCH Metro learnt that 27-year-old Mama was apprehended at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos while searching the passengers on board an Etihad flight. The drug, it was gathered, was concealed in the soles of female shoes imported from Brazil.

Our correspondent also learnt that the suspect had imported the narcotic from Brazil before it was intercepted at the airport.

While confessing to the crime, Mama, who hails from Enugu, said he had accepted the offer to smuggle the drug on an undisclosed, huge fee.

He said, “I live and work in Brazil. I was given the drug with a promise that I would be handsomely rewarded if I successfully delivered the bag in Nigeria. They also promised me that somebody would help me in collecting the bags at the airport in Nigeria. Unfortunately, officers demanded to search my bag and in the process, the cocaine was found.”

The NDLEA Commander at the MMIA, Mr. Umar Hamza, confirmed Mama’s arrest to PUNCH Metro.

Hamza, said, “The suspect claimed to be a shoe merchant but during interrogation, it was discovered that he only used the shoes as modes of concealing the cocaine. Solomon Mama had two bags containing female shoes and handbags. The drug was discovered in the soles of the female shoes and he was immediately arrested. He hails from Enugu State.”

The NDLEA Chairman, Mr. Ahmadu Giade, urged members of the public to continue reporting suspected drug transactions to the agency, adding that any suspect found guilty of unlawful possession of cocaine risked 15 years jail term.

“This seizure will serve as a warning to drug cartels. Efforts shall be intensified to train and retrain officers on interdiction techniques and intelligence gathering in order to maintain our superiority over drug traffickers. The NDLEA shall continue to seize narcotic drugs and prosecute offenders. We will continue to detect hidden drugs and prosecute drug traffickers,” Giade added.