S’African Woman Nabbed with Cocaine at Lagos Airport

Chinedu Eze

A South African woman who attempted to smuggle 1.210 kg of powder substance that tested positive for cocaine was arrested and effort foiled by anti-narcotics officers.

The drug was detected by a female operative of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos during screening.

The agency, which made this known, said the 34-year old who claimed she was an apprentice chef had two parcels of cocaine carefully concealed inside her brassiere on her way to Johannesburg when she was arrested.

The NDLEA commander at the airport, Ahmadu Garba gave her name as Lekganyane Lerato and said, “The suspect was intercepted during routine screening of passengers on a South African airline. The drug was neatly concealed but certainly not good enough to escape our notice. She is currently under investigation but will be charged to court very soon.”

The suspect said she was lured into drug trafficking by friends. “I am an apprentice chef in Johannesburg. A friend convinced me into drug trafficking. I never imagined that the drug will be detected because it was carefully concealed inside my brassiere.

“A female officer requested to feel my boobs and that was how the cocaine was detected. My travel expenses was handled by the sponsor who promised to pay me 3,000 dollars when I get to Johannesburg but all my dreams had been dashed following my arrest”, Lerato lamented.

NDLEA 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”, Abdallah stated.

The NDLEA boss called on drug cartels to quit the criminal act or be prepared for arrest and prosecution.