Columbian authorities, in collaboration with the FBI, have arrested a Nigerian national, Joseph Chinedu Okparaejesi, for allegedly smuggling a large quantity of cocaine into the country.
According to Colombia’s Police Intelligence Unit, Okparaejesi, also known as “Alen,” was arrested at the El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá after arriving from São Paulo, Brazil.
A statement by the country’s Attorney General’s Office (Fiscalía General de la Nación) on Friday, said Okparaejesi who has lived in the South American country for over 12 years, was apprehended at El Dorado International Airport while attempting to board a flight from São Paulo, Brazil, following a court order obtained by the Office.
The statement said the arrest of the suspect followed an extensive investigation led by the Attorney General’s Office.
The Columbian authorities believe Okparaejesi allegedly operated under the guise of a beauty industry businessman while coordinating large scale cocaine shipments to Spain.
‘He is believed to finance drug procurement and managed operations that involved human couriers and specially designed double-bottom suitcases for smuggling narcotics,” the statement said.
“His arrest was reportedly made possible by intelligence from a detained drug mule en route to Spain, who exposed details of the network.”
Posting a picture of the arrested drug trafficker, the Fiscalía General de la Nación said:
“This is Nigerian citizen, Joseph Chinedu Okparaejesi, who pleaded guilty to trafficking, manufacturing, or carrying narcotics.
“Pursuant to a court order obtained by the Attorney General’s Office, Nigerian citizen Joseph Chinedu Okparaejesi was arrested at Bogotá’s El Dorado Airport as he attempted to board a flight from Sao Paulo, Brazil.
“The foreigner, known by the alias Alen, is believed to be the mastermind of a transnational criminal network accused of sending travelers to Spain with cocaine hidden in their luggage.
“The material evidence indicates that this individual apparently financed the acquisition of the illicit substances and the entire illegal arrangement, which included the preparation of the so-called “human couriers” and the double-bottom suitcases used to conceal the narcotics, as well as the logistics necessary to ensure their departure from the country and arrival in Europe.
“The joint action of the Prosecutor’s Office, the Dijin of the National Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) show that Chinedu Okparaejesi allegedly traveled to different destinations in Latin America to replicate his criminal activity, which became evident with the capture of a man who was carrying concealed cocaine and was planning to travel to Madrid (Spain) through El Dorado Airport.
“Since then, 15 people have been arrested, including travelers and members of the criminal organization.
“For all of the above, a prosecutor from the Specialized Directorate charged the Nigerian citizen with trafficking, manufacturing, or possession of narcotics, which was accepted.
“The defendant, by order of a judge supervising the guarantees, must serve a security measure in a prison facility.”
