By Adeyanju Esther
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested several intending pilgrims to the ongoing hajj in Saudi Arabia for attempting to smuggle cocaine.
The operatives conducted a raid on Emerald Hotel in the Ladipo area of Oshodi, Lagos State, where the suspects were staying. They were caught ingesting wraps of cocaine in preparation for their flight on Wednesday, June 5, 2024.
According to the agency, those arrested during the intelligence-led operation include: Usman Kamorudeen, 31; Olasunkanmi Owolabi, 46; Fatai Yekini, 38; and a lady, Ayinla Kemi, 34.
In a statement issued on Thursday by Femi Babafemi, NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, the four suspects were lodged in two rooms in the hotel where they had prepared 200 pellets of cocaine weighing 2.20 kilograms to swallow when NDLEA officers stormed their rooms.
Babafemi said that one hundred wraps of the Class A substance were recovered from each of the two rooms, bringing the total seizure to 200 wraps. Two suspects were to swallow 100 wraps each.
Reacting to the arrest of intending pilgrims with cocaine, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, commended the Lagos State Command for their successful operation.
He praised the commander, officers, and men involved in the raid, which took place at Emerald Hotel in the Ladipo area of Oshodi, Lagos State.
Marwa emphasized that the NDLEA would continue to expand its efforts to track, trace, and apprehend those attempting to exploit religious pilgrimages for drug trafficking. He stressed the agency’s dedication to preventing activities that could tarnish Nigeria’s image.
Marwa also highlighted the importance of international collaboration, noting that the NDLEA would work with Saudi Arabian authorities to ensure that the intended recipients of seized drugs are identified and prosecuted.
He also reiterated that the agency will collaborate with Saudi Arabian authorities to ensure that the identified recipients of seized drug consignments within Saudi Arabia are tracked down and appropriately dealt with.