Nigerian authorities seize nearly $3 million worth of cocaine at Lagos airport

Nigeria has transformed in recent years from a transit country for drugs between South America and Europe to a full-fledged consumer and distributor. (Photo: AFP)

ABUJA: Nigerian authorities have seized 19.4kg of cocaine worth 4.66 billion naira ($2.93 million) from a passenger who arrived at Lagos airport on a flight from Ethiopia, the anti-drug agency said on Tuesday.

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

Nigeria, with over 200 million inhabitants the most populous country in Africa, has transformed in recent years from a transit country for gangs transporting drugs between South America and Europe to a full-fledged consumer and distributor.

“The agency will continue to disrupt the activities of drug cartels operating in the country,” NDLEA chief Mohammed Buba Marwa said in a statement.