An attempt by a South African woman to smuggle 1.210kg cocaine from Nigeria to her home country was yesterday foiled by anti-narcotics officials.
The 34 year-old apprentice chef was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, in the process of boarding a Johannesburg-bound plane.
She allegedly concealed the substance packed in two parcels in her brassiere.
The drug was detected by a female operative of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) during passengers’ screening.
NDLEA commander at the airport, Ahmadu Garba gave the suspect’s name as Lekganyane Lerato.
Garba said “The suspect was intercepted during routine screening of passengers on South African airline. The drug was neatly concealed but certainly not good enough to escape our notice. She is currently under investigation and will be charged to court very soon.”
The suspect said that she was lured into drug trafficking by friends.
She said she “never imagined that the drug would be detected because it was carefully concealed inside my brassiere. A female officer requested to feel my boobs that was how the cocaine was detected. My travel expenses were handled by the sponsor who promised to pay me $3,000 when I get to Johannesburg but all my dreams have been dashed following my arrest” Lerato lamented.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive, Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (rtd.) expressed optimism that the chances of being caught with drugs are getting higher in the country.
“Daily arrest of drug traffickers has validated our superiority. Drug trafficking organisations may try their best but they will end up in prison custody.”
