Two Europe-Based Nigerians Arrested at Abuja Airport With 200 Cocaine Pellets in Their Stomachs
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested two Europe-based Nigerians who allegedly swallowed 200 wraps of cocaine weighing 3.46 kilogrammes to smuggle from Abuja to Paris.
Aliocus Godian Odife and Sam Blackborn were intercepted on Wednesday, 28 October, during outward clearance of Air France flight AF 832 at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. Odife, who reportedly lives in France and works in a factory, arrived in Nigeria on 21 October for a short holiday. He confessed to swallowing 110 wraps weighing 1.901kg. Blackborn also tested positive in a body scan and admitted swallowing 90 wraps. Both men excreted the drugs under observation, and all 200 wraps tested positive for cocaine.
NDLEA chairman Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd) said the arrests were a warning to people who believe living abroad can provide cover for trafficking.
Paris-bound swallowers have been caught before. In May 2024, a businessman was arrested at the same airport after excreting 111 wraps of cocaine. In October 2023, another passenger bound for Paris excreted 93 wraps of heroin.
Both suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
