The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) announced the arrest of several intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia’s ongoing hajj, caught with cocaine consignments.
NDLEA operatives raided Emerald Hotel in Oshodi, Lagos State, where the suspects were found ingesting cocaine wraps on June 5, 2024, before their flight to the holy land. The arrested individuals include Usman Kamorudeen (31), Olasunkanmi Owolabi (46), Fatai Yekini (38), and Ayinla Kemi (34).
According to a statement by Femi Babafemi, NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, the suspects were lodged in two rooms where they had prepared 200 pellets of cocaine weighing 2.20 kilograms to swallow. Each room contained 100 wraps, intended for two suspects to swallow.
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 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.”
