The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has arrested a 36-year-old transborder drug trafficker with N1bn worth of cocaine.
The NDLEA said the trafficker, Nkem Timothy, disguised as Auwalu Audu, to smuggle 62 wraps of cocaine substance weighing 1.550kg.
The substance has an estimated street value of about N1bn.
Spokesman for the agency Femi Babafemi said the suspect was arrested while trying to cross to Algeria through the Niger Republic.
He quoted the acting state Commander of NDLEA in Sokoto, Bamidele Segun, as saying that the suspect was intercepted on a motorcycle around the Baggage area at Illela border while trying to cross to Niger Republic, with his final destination meant to be Algeria, where he resides.
He said the illicit drug was neatly concealed inside Yogurt bottles.
“He was found with an ECOWAS passport with different name written as Auwalu Audu, but he gave his real name as Nkem Timothy,” the Commander said.
He said the agency had commenced further investigation to unravel his sponsor and other members of the transborder drug cartel.
“This is a ground breaking feat for us in the command as seizure of this magnitude of type A drug (cocaine) has never been made in Sokoto command before.”
In a related development, the Adamawa State Command of the agency has arrested one Umar Mohammed with 82 blocks of compressed cannabis sativa weighing 70kg.
He was arrested at Lafiya Lamurde area of Adamawa state.
Reacting to the seizures, the chairman NDLEA, Buba Marwa, commended the two commands and charged them to remain vigilant and ensure no illicit drug goes in or out of their areas of responsibility.
