Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a widower, Ariyibi Ahmed Olaseinde and a divorcee, Akanbi Silifat Tunrayo, for drug trafficking at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.
According to the NDLEA, the suspects who were going for the Lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia were arrested for attempting to export 14.4 kilograms of cocaine concealed in lace and Ankara fabrics.
This was disclosed in a statement on Sunday, April 23, signed by the spokesperson of the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi.
According to the statement, Ariyibi was intercepted on Thursday, 20th April, at the screening point of MMIA Terminal 2 during outward clearance of Qatar Airways passengers travelling from Lagos via Doha to Medina, Saudi Arabia.
Photo credit: NDLEA
“When his carry-on bag was checked, four sets of white lace material with linings of substance that tested positive to cocaine weighing 11.50kg were discovered.
“The suspect, who claimed to be a widower and an advertising practitioner, said his original plan was to ingest the drugs but had to change his mind after failed attempts to swallow bitter cola, which he was using to practice the process.
“He is expected to be paid One Million, Eight Hundred Thousand Naira (N1,800,000) upon successful delivery of the consignment in Medina, Saudi Arabia,” the NDLEA stated.
The anti-narcotic Agency said that on Wednesday, April 19, NDLEA officers at the Terminal 2 airport also arrested Akanbi with 2.90kg of cocaine during outward clearance of Qatar Airways passengers from Lagos via Doha to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
A search of her hand luggage led to the discovery of six sheets of cocaine weighing 2.90kg concealed in Ankara fabrics.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect is a divorcee and a trader who used to hawk clothes around the Awoyaya area of Ajah, Lagos.
“Based on information in her statement, a follow up operation that lasted through the night into the early hours of Thursday 20th April was carried out, during which the person who recruited her, Adebayo Adeola Wasiu was arrested at No 28, Olateju Street, Mushin, Lagos. Adebayo is the managing director of B&T Travel Agency,” the NDLEA added.
Photo credit: NDLEA
In the same vein, NDLEA said officers attached to courier companies intercepted two drug consignments: ecstasy and skunk, going to the United Arab Emirates.
While the ecstasy pills were concealed in a gold wedding gown, the skunk was hidden in a microcontroller.
A reporter with the ICIR
A Journalist with a niche for quality and a promoter of good governance
