It arrested a 45-year-old suspect, Aina Fausat Olanrewaju, for carrying the drug, which street value was put at N30 million. NDLEA discovered the suspect’s “innovation” on Sunday during an inward screening of passengers on an Emirate flight from Brazil.
The drug was industrially packed inside six big candles, four of which were black and the other two green.
Answering questions from narcotic officers, Olanrewaju said the candles were meant for spiritual use.
But the curious NDLEA officers broke the candles and discovered that they contained cocaine.
The suspect was arrested following the discovery of the cocaine-laden candles in her luggage, which also contained female shoes, bags and clothes.
NDLEA said the single mother of two children might be working for an international drug cartel with stronghold in Brazil.
She has been taken on follow-up operations in Nigeria to arrest others linked with the crime.
Two persons have reportedly been arrested for the unlawful drug importation, but NDLEA said it has begun investigation to determine their level of involvement.
NDLEA Airport Commander, Alhaji Hamza Umar, said: “There is no limit to the tricks of drug trafficking syndicates. The candle mode of concealment is simply amazing.”
NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Ahmadu Giade urged the officers to continue to expose drug barons’ tricks through meticulous search operations.
Olanrewaju said she was an international business woman who specialised in jewelery, shoes and clothes.
According to her, she has for eight years been going to Indian to buy her wares until she was recruited by the drug cartel.
Olanrewaju said: “This is my first time of smuggling hard drugs. I was contacted to travel to Brazil to bring in the drug. I spent three months in Sao Paulo and they promised to pay me half a million naira. I accepted because I am suffering from fibroid growth in my stomach. I was asked to say that it is meant for spiritual purpose.”
The suspect lived in Isolo, Lagos, and has a 23-year-old daughter and 20-year-old son.
NDLEA said it has begun investigation into her case, adding that she would be charged to court if found culpable.
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