Nigerian Detained in Cape Verde with 1kg Ingested Cocaine
Authorities in Cape Verde have ordered the preventive detention of a 42-year-old Nigerian national after he was caught attempting to smuggle more than a kilogram of cocaine through Amílcar Cabral International Airport on the island of Sal.
A Dangerous Discovery at Customs
The Judiciary Police (PJ) announced on Wednesday that the suspect was intercepted by the Narcotics Trafficking Crime Investigation Brigade (BICTE) shortly after disembarking from a flight originating in Dakar, Senegal. The arrest was part of an ongoing, targeted effort to curb international drug trafficking via air routes in the region.
Following his detention, the man underwent medical screening, which revealed dozens of foreign objects hidden inside his body. Authorities successfully recovered 52 capsules containing a total of 1.055 kilograms of cocaine.
Seizures and Legal Action
In addition to the narcotics, police seized a mobile phone and €1,000 in cash. The suspect now faces charges of international narcotics trafficking, a serious offense under Cape Verdean law.
After an initial judicial interrogation, the Sal District Court mandated that the man remain in preventive detention. He has been transferred to the Sal Central Prison, where he will remain while awaiting trial.
This arrest marks another victory for Cape Verde’s specialized narcotics units as they continue to monitor West African transit points for illicit substances.
Image: Pexels – Martijn Stoof
