- They were caught preparing to ingest wraps of cocaine before their flight to Saudi Arabia
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested four intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for attempting to smuggle cocaine at Emerald Hotel in the Ladipo area of Oshodi, Lagos State.
On Wednesday, NDLEA operatives raided the hotel, where the suspects were lodged, and caught them preparing to ingest wraps of cocaine before their flight to Saudi Arabia.
According to Femi Babafemi, NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, the suspects had prepared 200 pellets of cocaine, weighing 2.20 kilograms, to swallow when NDLEA officers stormed their rooms. The suspects were found in two rooms at the hotel.
He said, “Those arrested during the intelligence-led operation include Usman Kamorudeen, 31; Olasunkanmi Owolabi, 46; Fatai Yekini, 38; and a lady, Ayinla Kemi, 34.
“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.
“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.
“Commending the Commander, officers and men of the Lagos state Command of NDLEA, which conducted the operation, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Agency, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) said the agency will continue to spread its dragnet to track, trace and apprehend criminal elements who may want to hide under pilgrimage to carry out their nefarious activities capable of denting the image of the country.”
“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,” the statement added.
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