Hajj 2024: NDLEA arrests Lagos intending pilgrims with cocaine

From Godwin Tsa Abuja

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has raided the Emerald Hotel in the Ladipo area of Oshodi, Lagos State, where some intending pilgrims to the ongoing hajj in Saudi Arabia were lodged and caught in the act of ingesting wraps of cocaine, ahead of their flight to the holy land, on Wednesday.

Those arrested by operatives of the anti-narcotic agency during the intelligence-led operation include: Usman Kamorudeen, 31; Olasunkanmi Owolabi, 46; Fatai Yekini, 38; and a lady, Ayinla Kemi, 34. The four suspects were lodged in two rooms in the hotel, where they had prepared 200 pellets of cocaine weighing 2.20 kilograms 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 the NDLEA, which conducted the operation, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Brig. Gen. Mohamed  Marwa (retd), said the agency will continue to spread its dragnet to track, trace and apprehend criminal elements who may want to hide under the 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”.