NDLEA busts four pilgrims bound for Saudi Arabia in cocaine smuggling attempt

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), in a significant crackdown, have arrested four intending pilgrims attempting to smuggle cocaine to Saudi Arabia. 

According to the agency, the arrests were made at the Emerald Hotel, Ladipo, Oshodi, Lagos State, following a raid on June 5.

The NDLEA spokesperson, Mr. Femi Babafemi, revealed the details in a statement on Thursday, explaining that the operation was intelligence-led. 

The suspects, Usman Kamorudeen (31), Olasunkanmi Owolabi (46), Fatai Yekini (38), and Ayinla Kemi (34), were caught in the act of ingesting cocaine pellets in preparation for their flight to the holy land.

The operatives uncovered a total of 200 pellets of cocaine, each weighing 2.20 kilograms, split evenly between two rooms in the hotel. 

Each room contained 100 wraps of the Class A substance, with plans for two suspects to swallow 100 wraps each.

Commending the successful operation, NDLEA Chairman, retired Brigadier-General Buba Marwa, praised the Lagos State command’s efforts. 

He affirmed the agency’s commitment to expanding its surveillance and enforcement measures to apprehend drug traffickers, including those exploiting religious pilgrimages to carry out illegal activities.

“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,” Marwa stated. 

He emphasised the importance of maintaining the nation’s integrity and preventing criminal elements from tarnishing its image.