LAGOS—Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, yesterday arrested a German-based Nigerian fashion specialist for trafficking 1.2576kg of cocaine at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos.

The suspect, Mr. Udoh Innocent Essien a 37-year-old fashion specialist, who hails from Akwa Ibom State was nabbed at the weekend for unlawful exportation of narcotics at the airport.

NDLEA Chief  Executive  Ahmadu Giade, noted that the suspect was caught by the scanning machine at the outward screening of British Airways passengers.

Giade said Essien  excreted 75 wraps of powdery substances that tested positive to cocaine weighing 1.2576kg when he was under observation by the anti-narcotic agency.

Meanwhile, Essien claimed that he went into drugs trafficking because he wanted to use the 4,500 Euros to open an online fashion shop.

He said: “I had financial problem and was under pressure. My intention was to close my Surulere shop and concentrate on my shop in Germany.

“I have been approached severally to traffic drugs because I travel a lot but I always turn them down. I feel very bad. All I needed was to complete my online fashion shop because I have many products.

“It was due to frustration and desperation that I agreed to smuggle drugs.”