Nigerian Man Arrested at Abuja Airport After Swallowing 74 Wraps of Heroin and Cocaine for Paris Trip

A 48-year-old businessman, Orizu Ifeanyi Arthur, was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Sunday, December 22, 2024, while attempting to board an Air France flight to Paris. He was caught attempting to smuggle 74 wraps of heroin and cocaine by ingesting the drugs.

According to Femi Babafemi, Director of Media and Advocacy for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Orizu was detained at the boarding gate during the routine passenger clearance for Air France flight 844. Upon being selected for a body scan, Orizu initially refused, citing a medical condition that prevented him from undergoing the procedure.

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However, after further investigation, Orizu was taken into custody for excretion observation. Over the next seven days, he expelled a total of 74 wraps of Class A drugs.

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In his statement to authorities, Orizu explained that he owns a shop in Lagos’ Balogun Market, where he sells school and traveling bags. He revealed that he was promised 3,000 Euros upon the successful delivery of the drug shipment to Paris. Hoping to avoid detection, he had traveled from Lagos to Abuja to catch the Air France flight.