A 56 -year -old Portuguese citizen was arrested at Manchester airport in the United Kingdom last Sunday after being intercepted with 12 kg of hidden cocaine in his electric wheelchair. The drug, evaluated at about 1.2 million euros, was hidden in the seat and back of the equipment.
The man arrived in Manchester on a flight from Bridgetown, Barbados, and was approached by customs bodies due to suspected drug smuggling. Following an investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA), the suspect was present on Monday to the Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court. His next hearing is scheduled for May 6 at the Manchester Crown Court.
NCA senior investigation officer Charles Lee highlighted the creativity used by criminal groups to hide illicit substances, stressing that this case reflects the ingenious tactics employed in drug trafficking.
The concealment shows the ingenuity crime groups employ to smuggle cocaine. The NCA works with partners at home and abroad to combat the threat of Class A drugs and protect the UK public.
— National Crime Agency (NCA) (@NCA_UK)