The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA has arrested several intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia after uncovering cocaine consignments in their possession.
During a raid on Emerald Hotel in the Ladipo area of Oshodi, Lagos State, NDLEA operatives apprehended Usman Kamorudeen, Olasunkanmi Owolabi, Fatai Yekini, and Ayinla Kemi as they prepared to ingest cocaine wraps ahead of their flight to the ongoing hajj. The raid, which took place on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, was part of an intelligence-led operation.
In a statement released on Thursday, Femi Babafemi, NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, revealed that the four suspects were lodged in two rooms where they had prepared 200 pellets of cocaine weighing 2.20 kilograms.
The NDLEA officers recovered 100 wraps of cocaine from each room, intended for two suspects to swallow 100 wraps each. (Retd) Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, Chairman and CEO of NDLEA, mentioned that the agency would collaborate with counterparts in Saudi Arabia to trace and prosecute the designated recipients of seized drug consignments in the kingdom.