Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) conducted a raid at Emerald Hotel in the Ladipo area of Oshodi, Lagos, where intending pilgrims to the ongoing hajj in Saudi Arabia were found ingesting cocaine ahead of their flight on Wednesday.
According to an NDLEA statement released on Friday, those apprehended in the intelligence-led operation include Usman Kamorudeen, Olasunkanmi Owolabi, Fatai Yekini, and a woman, Ayinla Kemi.
The four suspects were staying in two rooms at the hotel, where they had prepared 200 pellets of cocaine weighing 2.20 kilograms to swallow. NDLEA officers recovered 100 wraps of the Class A substance from each room, totaling 200 wraps. Two suspects were to ingest 100 wraps each.
Commending the Lagos State Command’s efforts, NDLEA Chairman and CEO, Brig-Gen Mohamed Marwa (Rtd), emphasized the agency’s commitment to tracking and apprehending individuals attempting to exploit the pilgrimage for drug trafficking, thereby tarnishing the country’s image.
Marwa added, “The Agency will collaborate with our counterparts in Saudi Arabia to ensure that the recipients of these illicit drug consignments are identified and appropriately dealt with.”
