The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) apprehended a 50-year-old businessman Osuoha Christian Iheanacho, on November 20, 2024, at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA) in Enugu. Osuoha, who operates a thriving phone accessories business with outlets in Lagos and Gabon, was intercepted after swallowing 90 wraps of cocaine weighing 2.019 kilograms.
The arrest followed months of surveillance by NDLEA operatives, who had placed Osuoha on a watchlist. The businessman reportedly devised a complicated travel itinerary to elude detection, departing from Ethiopia and transiting through various stops.
According to a senior NDLEA official, Osuoha’s capture showed the sophisticated methods employed by traffickers and the lengths they go to in their attempt to evade justice.
“This individual thought he could outsmart the system with his convoluted travel route. However, we have upgraded our surveillance network and intelligence capabilities to stay one step ahead of these criminal syndicates,” the official stated.
Upon his arrest, a medical scan confirmed that Osuoha had ingested the illicit substances. During interrogation, he confessed to his involvement, revealing details of the smuggling network responsible for coordinating his travel and payload. His arrest has reportedly provided the NDLEA with the needed intelligence for dismantling the larger cartel connected to this operation.
