A widower, Ariyibi Olaseinde and a divorcee, Akanbi Tunrayo, who were going for Lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia, have been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, in Lagos.

They were arrested for allegedly attempting to export 14.4kg of cocaine concealed in lace and Ankara fabrics.

Ariyibi was intercepted on Thursday, April 20, at the screening point of the MMIA Terminal 2 during outward clearance of Qatar Airways passengers, travelling from Lagos via Doha to Medina, Saudi Arabia, according to a statement by the NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, on Sunday.

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 N1.8million upon successful delivery of the consignment in Medina, Saudi Arabia.

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The NDLEA said on Wednesday, April 19, officers at the Terminal 2 of the airport also arrested Mrs. Silifat 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 Wasiu, was arrested at No 28, Olateju Street, Mushin, Lagos. Adebayo is the managing director of B&T Travel Agency,” Babafemi stated.

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In the same vein, NDLEA officers attached to courier companies intercepted two drug consignments consisting of ecstasy and skunk going to the United Arab Emirate. While the pills of ecstasy were concealed in a gold colour wedding gown, the skunk was hidden in a micro controller.

“This is even as a 400-level Marine Engineering student at the Niger Delta University, Amassoma, Bayelsa State, Kelvin Ogenedoro, has been arrested for dealing in 600grams of skunk. He was nabbed at the university’s gate in a follow up operation following the interception of the consignment in a commercial bus along Tombia-Amassoma Road.

“In Adamawa State, a notorious drug dealer, Sunday Emzor (aka Lalas) who was convicted and sentenced 15 years in 2010 for drug offences, was on Thursday arrested for drug dealing.

“He was arrested at Hayin Gada, Imburu Numan LGA where he went to supply 1.650kg cannabis to an undercover operative. His Yellow Press Cub motorcycle used for supplying illicit drugs and a cash of N78,120 suspected to be proceed of the illegal business were recovered from him at the point of arrest,” he added.

The agency made other arrests in Kaduna and Edo states.

While two suspects – Adeshina Olalekan and Christopher Joel, were also arrested at Lektop hotel, Igbeba, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, with 39 litres of Skuchies, as well as various quantities of tramadol, and rophynol, the NDLEA in Imo State also intercepted a female suspect, Ijeoma Loreza, 40, at Orogwe, Owerri North with 70 blocks of Cannabis Sativa weighing 30kg.

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The agency added that “a notorious drug dealer” in Okitipupa area of Ondo State, Mathew Obateru, 42, was taken into custody after different quantities of Cocaine, Heroin, Methamphetamine, Colorado and Loud were recovered from him.”

0While commending the officers and men of the MMIA, Directorate of Operations and General Investigation, DOGI, Bayelsa, Adamawa, Kaduna, Edo, Ogun, Imo, Ondo and Taraba Commands of the agency the NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), charged them to continue to raise the bar of professionalism in the daily discharge of their responsibilities.