Cocaine capsules burst in smuggler’s stomach

A 32-year-old suspected drug trafficker, Obiefuna
Ndulue, has died after some capsules used to pack
substance that tested positive for cocaine burst in his
stomach.
The deceased was said to have slumped at the
departure hall of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International
Airport, Abuja and was rushed to a hospital within the
facility.
It was learnt that Ndulue, who hailed from Anambra
State, had wanted to travel via the Ethiopian airline to
China.
PUNCH Metro gathered that 55 wraps of cocaine,
weighing 1.2 kilogrammes were evacuated from the
suspect’s stomach after he was stabilised at the
hospital.
The Lagos-based trader was said to have confessed to
an operative of the National Drug Law Enforcement
Agency that he had wanted to smuggle the drug. He
reportedly died while receiving treatment.
Our correspondent learnt that the agency also arrested
a 46-year-old businessman, Bamidele Ibiteye, for
allegedly laundering $2,198,900 (about N440m).
It was learnt that the money was impounded from
Ibiteye at the local wing of the Murtala Muhammed
Airport, Lagos, as he wanted to board a flight en route
to Abuja.
Ibiteye, who runs a company, ND&C Global Investment
Limited, told investigators that the money belonged to a
medical practitioner in the state, identified as Thomas
Martins.
The suspect, however, declined to reveal the identity of
the person who was to receive the money.
The NDLEA Commander at the NAIA, Mr. Hamisu
Lawan, confirmed Ndulue’s death.
He said, “The deceased collapsed at the departure hall.
He collapsed after he notified the airline officials of his
intention to cancel his trip. About 55 wraps of
substances that tested positive for cocaine with a total
weight of 1.20kg was evacuated from his stomach.
“The suspect confessed to cocaine ingestion. He later
died while receiving treatment.”
The spokesperson for the NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju,
confirmed Ibiteye’s arrest, adding that the money had
been recovered.
He said, “The $2,198,900 was seized from Ibiteye by
anti-narcotic officials on the grounds of suspected
money laundering at the local wing of the MMA2,
Lagos. The suspect was apprehended on his way to
Abuja and he is being investigated in connection with
the case.”
It was gathered that the NDLEA Chairman, Ahmadu
Giade, had directed that the suspect and the exhibit be
transferred to the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission for further investigation.