Trader, 32, dies after cocaine bursts in his stomach

 
Ndulue Emmanuel Obiefuna, 32, collapsed at the airport departure hall and was taken to a nearby hospital.

The incident happened on July 5.

The deceased was an intending passenger on an Ethiopian airline flight to China enroute Addis Ababa.

NDLEA commander at the Abuja Airport, Mr. Hamisu Lawan, said:

“The deceased collapsed at the departure hall and was being attended to by Port Health officials. The incident triggered our suspicion and a narcotic officer was assigned to monitor the development.

When the suspect’s condition stabilized at the hospital, he confessed to cocaine ingestion. At that point, the NDLEA took over the case from the Port Health Services. He later died while receiving treatment.”

Investigation further revealed that the deceased hailed from Anambra State. Until his demise, he was a trader living in Lagos. It was gathered that the deceased decided to abort his trip after collecting his boarding pass.

Chairman of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, said as regards the case:

“Ingesting narcotics is a suicide mission. I sympathize with the family members.

Drug trafficking is a serious crime. It is a threat to public health and safety. The current trend of drug ingestion by drug traffickers in disregard of the grave health implication must be condemned by all. People must shun drug trafficking and support the anti-drug campaign.

We must collectively intensify counter-narcotics efforts by talking to at least one person daily on the dangers of drugs and benefits of a drug-free society.”