Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested 48-year-old businessman Orizu Ifeanyi Arthur for attempting to smuggle 74 wraps of heroin and cocaine while boarding an Air France flight from Abuja to Paris.
The arrest occurred on Sunday, December 22, 2024, during routine security checks at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. According to NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, Orizu was stopped at the boarding gate while clearing passengers for the Air France flight 844 to Paris.
Orizu was initially selected for a body scan, but he refused, citing a medical condition that prevented him from undergoing the procedure. However, after further investigation, he was taken into custody for excretion observation, where he expelled 74 wraps of Class A drugs over the span of seven days.
In his statement, Orizu revealed that he owned a shop at Balogun Market on Lagos Island, where he sold school and travel bags. He explained that he had been promised 3,000 Euros for successfully delivering the drugs to Paris. Orizu had traveled from Lagos to Abuja to catch the connecting flight, hoping to evade detection.
The arrest highlights the continued efforts of the NDLEA in combating drug trafficking at Nigerian airports. Orizu’s case serves as a reminder of the agency’s vigilance in preventing illegal drug shipments and ensuring the safety of air travel.