NIGERIA: Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a Nigerian woman based in Brazil, Mrs. Anita Ugochinyere Ogbonna, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, with 100 pellets of cocaine concealed in her private part and handbag.
The mother of three, according to NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, was arrested on Friday night on arrival in Abuja via Qatar Air from Sao Paulo, Brazil through Doha.
“Upon a proper search, 12 wraps of cocaine inserted in her private part were extracted while another 88 pellets stuffed in socks were discovered hidden in her handbag.
During interrogation, Ogbonna, who is a mother of three children, all resident in Brazil, claimed she lost her husband three years ago.
“She confessed she decided to traffic the illicit drug to raise money for the burial of her father scheduled for July 23, in Imo State.
She said one Emeka, alias KC, also based in Brazil, gave her the drug to deliver in Nigeria for a fee of $3,000.
She said she pushed the wraps of cocaine into her private part after her attempts to swallow the pellets failed.
“The suspect, who owns a shop where she sells African foodstuffs in Brazil, further claimed she had to drop her three young children with a Kenyan lady who is her neighbour in Brazil before she embarked on the quick-money-journey,” Babafemi said.