By; RAYMOND TEDUNJAYE, Lagos
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested two suspects going for lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos for attempting to export 14.4 kilograms of cocaine concealed in lace and ankara fabrics.
Identified as Ariyibi Ahmed Olaseinde, a widower and Mrs. Akanbi Silifat Tunrayo, a divorcee, the suspects were said to have been arrested separately during outward clearance.
The Director Media and Advocacy of the agency, Femi Babafemi made the disclosure in a statement yesterday.
According to the statement, ” Ariyibi was intercepted on Thursday, April 20, at the screening point of MMIA Terminal 2 during outward clearance of Qatar Airways passengers travelling from Lagos via Doha to Medina, Saudi Arabia. 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 N1,800,000 upon successful delivery of the consignment in Medina, Saudi Arabia.
” The previous day, Wednesday April 19, NDLEA officers at the Terminal 2 of the airport also arrested Mrs. Silifat Tunrayo Akanbi with 2.90kg cocaine during outward clearance of Qatar Airways passengers from Lagos via Doha to Jedda, 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 cloths around 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, April 20, was carried out, during which the person who recruited her, Alhaji Adebayo Adeola Wasiu was arrested at No 28, Olateju Street, Mushin, Lagos. Adebayo is the managing director of B&T Travel Agency”.
