Eight Nigerian nationals were on Thursday paraded before Magistrate EF M’Bai of the Brikama Magistrates’ Court, after being arrested and detained for illegal possession of cocaine at the Banjul International Airport.

Official reports revealed that the drugs were discovered to be swallowed by the men in order to escape security measures at the Airport.

According to a narcotic agent, Ceesay from the National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDEA), their arrests were effected as the men tried to board an aircraft on July 20.

Police investigations concluded that the first accused identified as Klement Ifeaniyi Obiorah swallowed 797 grammes of cocaine, while Kafo Francis Paul, the second accused, swallowed 1.162kg cocaine. Samuel Nwaiwu swallowed 1.427kg, Edi Banke Anthony swallowed 843.22 grams; James Nikolas- 1.440kg; Oposo Malachi Ngozi 1.19kg grammes and 417 mg of cocaine; Faith Chinomso Obatu swallowed 909 grammes, while the last accused Amanchiku Okfo swallowed 884 grammes.

All the men denied charges of drug trafficking levelled against them.

Presiding Magistrate M’Bai then adjourned the trial of the first, seventh and eight accused persons to August 30, while the case for others was adjourned to August 29th for continuation.

The Magistrate then ordered for all the accused persons to be remanded in custody, pending the outcome of the cases.