Nigerian authorities seize $2.93 million worth of cocaine at Lagos airport

Nigerian authorities have seized 19.4 kilograms (42.77 pounds) of cocaine, worth 4.66 billion naira ($2.93 million), from a passenger who arrived at Lagos airport from Ethiopia, the country’s anti-drug agency said Tuesday.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested a 48-year-old Nigerian businessman on September 18 for allegedly possessing 817 wraps of cocaine. The businessman was convicted of drug trafficking last year but paid a fine to avoid jail time.

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country with over 200 million people, has been transformed from a transit point for gangs moving drugs between South America and Europe to a major consumer and distributor. NDLEA chief Mohammed Buba Marwa said: “The agency will continue to work to disrupt the activities of drug cartels operating in the country.” ($1 = 1,593.0700 naira)

(With input from agencies.)