By Wellington Jopelo
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested a 74-year-old man, Ikwuakalom Nwakoro Emeka, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja after cocaine was discovered hidden in his luggage.
The suspect was intercepted at the airport’s departure hall while preparing to board a flight to London in the United Kingdom.
During a search of his luggage, officials reportedly discovered several blocks of cocaine carefully concealed inside food items, including ground dry pepper.
The drugs were said to have been wrapped in foil papers and balloons in an attempt to avoid detection during security screening at the airport.
Authorities said the suspect claimed he was travelling abroad for a vacation when the illicit drugs were found during routine checks by operatives.
Investigators believe the drugs were deliberately hidden inside the pepper to disguise their smell and evade airport detection systems.
The suspect was immediately taken into custody for further questioning by the agency.
Officials said preliminary investigations are ongoing to determine if other individuals may be connected to the attempted drug smuggling.
The arrest forms part of continued efforts by anti-drug authorities to curb drug trafficking through Nigeria’s international airports.
The agency said further updates on the case will be provided as investigations progress.