The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced the arrest of several individuals intending to participate in the ongoing Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, who were found in possession of cocaine consignments.
The NDLEA reported that the arrests followed a raid conducted by its operatives at Emerald Hotel in the Ladipo area of Oshodi, Lagos State.
The suspects were apprehended while attempting to ingest cocaine wraps in preparation for their flight to the holy land on Wednesday, June 5, 2024.
According to the agency, the arrested individuals include Usman Kamorudeen, 31; Olasunkanmi Owolabi, 46; Fatai Yekini, 38; and Ayinla Kemi, 34. During the intelligence-led operation, the four suspects were found in two hotel rooms where they had prepared 200 pellets of cocaine, weighing 2.20 kilograms, to swallow.
In a statement issued on Thursday by Femi Babafemi, NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, it was revealed that one hundred wraps of the Class A substance were recovered from each room, totaling 200 wraps. The plan was for two suspects to swallow 100 wraps each.
Reacting to the development, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Agency, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), praised the commander, officers, and personnel of the Lagos State Command of the NDLEA for their successful operation.
Marwa emphasized that the agency will persist in expanding its efforts to track, trace, and apprehend criminal operatives attempting to use the pilgrimage as a cover for their illicit activities, which could tarnish the country’s image.
The NDLEA boss also stated that “the agency will work with our counterparts in Saudi Arabia to ensure that the designated recipients of seized illicit drug consignments in any part of Saudi Arabia are also traced and dealt with accordingly.”
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