NDLEA arrests intending Hajj pilgrims with cocaine consignments in Lagos

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested some intending pilgrims to the ongoing hajj in Saudi Arabia in Emerald Hotel, Ladipo, Oshodi, Lagos State.

The agency said they were lodged in the hotel and caught while ingesting wraps of cocaine ahead of their flight to the holy land.

Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters Abuja, Femi Babafemi, in a statement yesterday, said they were arrested the previous day.

Babafemi said those arrested include Usman Kamorudeen, 31; Olasunkanmi Owolabi, 46; Fatai Yekini, 38; and a lady, Ayinla Kemi, 34.

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“The four suspects were lodged in two rooms in the hotel where they had prepared 200 pellets of cocaine weighing 2.20 kilogrammes 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, 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.