Intending Hajj Pilgrims Arrested in Lagos Hotel Attempting to Smuggle Cocaine
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has apprehended four individuals who were preparing to ingest cocaine before their scheduled pilgrimage to Mecca. The suspects, Usman Kamorudeen, Olasunkanmi Owolabi, Fatai Yekini, and Ayinla Kemi, were staying at the Emerald Hotel in Lagos when NDLEA operatives raided the premises.
Upon the raid, the operatives discovered that the suspects had prepared 200 pellets of cocaine, weighing a total of 2.20 kilograms, to swallow before their flight to Saudi Arabia. Each room contained 100 wraps of the Class A substance, with two suspects assigned to ingest 100 wraps each.
Femi Babafemi, the Director of Media and Advocacy at NDLEA, commended the officers involved in the operation and emphasized the agency’s commitment to apprehending individuals involved in drug trafficking, even if they attempt to conceal their activities under the guise of religious pilgrimage. NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), vowed to collaborate with authorities in Saudi Arabia to trace and prosecute recipients of seized drug consignments in the country.
This incident underscores the ongoing battle against drug trafficking and the measures taken to prevent the smuggling of narcotics across international borders. It serves as a reminder of the vigilance required to combat illegal drug trade, which poses significant risks to public health and safety.
