By Muhammad Mamman
Nigeria’s anti-narcotics agency has arrested a Milan-bound traveller at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport after allegedly discovering that he ingested 82 wraps of cocaine in an attempt to smuggle the illicit drug to Europe.
The suspect, identified as Michael Gohouri, also known as Anunwa Michael, was apprehended by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) during routine outbound screening at the Kano-based international airport.
According to preliminary findings, the passenger was preparing to board a flight to Milan when anti-narcotics officers flagged him for further checks based on credible intelligence and behavioural profiling. Subsequent medical examinations reportedly confirmed that he had ingested 82 pellets of cocaine, concealed internally in a bid to evade detection.
NDLEA officials said the suspect was placed under observation in line with standard anti-drug trafficking protocols to ensure safe recovery of the substances. The agency described the seizure as part of its sustained clampdown on drug trafficking networks exploiting Nigerian airports as transit routes to Europe and other destinations.
Authorities have launched a broader investigation to uncover possible accomplices and determine the origin and intended recipients of the narcotics. The suspect is expected to face prosecution under Nigeria’s drug control laws upon conclusion of investigations.
The arrest underscores the NDLEA’s intensified surveillance and interdiction operations at major international gateways, as the agency continues to target drug couriers and dismantle trafficking syndicates operating within and beyond Nigeria’s borders.
