NDLEA raids hotel in Lagos, arrests pilgrims ingesting cocaine
By Innocent Raphael
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced it arrested suspected drug dealers after raiding the Emerald Hotel in the Ladipo area of Oshodi, Lagos State, on Wednesday.
The raid targeted some intending pilgrims to the ongoing hajj in Saudi Arabia who were caught in the act of ingesting wraps of cocaine ahead of their flight.
The agency disclosed the details in a statement on Thursday, signed by its Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi.
According to the statement, the intelligence-led operation led to the arrest of four suspects: Usman Kamorudeen, 31; Olasunkanmi Owolabi, 46; Fatai Yekini, 38; and Ayinla Kemi, 34.
The suspects were lodged in two rooms in the hotel where they had prepared 200 pellets of cocaine, weighing 2.20 kilograms, for ingestion. Each room contained 100 wraps of the Class A substance, intended for two suspects to swallow.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), commended the Commander, officers, and men of the Lagos State Command for their successful operation.
He emphasized the agency’s commitment to tracking and apprehending criminal elements attempting to exploit religious pilgrimages to carry out illegal activities, which tarnish the country’s image.
Marwa also stated that the NDLEA would collaborate with counterparts in Saudi Arabia to ensure that recipients of seized illicit drug consignments are traced and dealt with accordingly.
