On Wednesday, officers from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) intercepted a cocaine shipment at the Emerald Hotel in the Ladipo area of Oshodi, Lagos. They arrested four individuals attempting to smuggle the drugs to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj pilgrimage.
The news was shared on Thursday by Femi Babafemi, the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy.
The suspects, Usman Kamorudeen (31), Olasunkanmi Owolabi (46), Fatai Yekini (38), and Ayinla Kemi (34), had prepared 200 pellets of cocaine, weighing a total of 2.20 kg, to ingest before their flight.
Babafemi explained, “Our officers raided the Emerald Hotel in Oshodi, Lagos, and found four people getting ready to swallow cocaine pellets for their trip to the Hajj pilgrimage on June 5, 2024.”
The suspects were staying in two rooms where they had prepared 200 cocaine pellets to ingest. The officers found 100 pellets in each room, totaling 200 wraps. Each suspect planned to swallow 100 wraps.
NDLEA Chairman Buba Marwa stated that the agency will collaborate with Saudi authorities to track down and prosecute those expecting to receive the drugs in Saudi Arabia.
Victoria Ibiama
