A widower, Ariyibi Ahmed Olaseinde and a divorcee, Akanbi Silifat Tunrayo, who were going for Lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia, have been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The duo were arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos for allegedly attempting to export 14.4 kilograms of cocaine concealed in lace and ankara fabrics.
This was as NDLEA intercepted illicit drugs in wedding gown; nabbed 400-level varsity student in Bayelsa; a cripple in Edo; one ex-convict in Adamawa, notorious dealer in Ondo; and also seized 1.2 tons of skunk in Kaduna states, respectively.
Femi Babafemi, Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, made the disclosures in a press release, on Sunday.
The widower, Ariyibi, was intercepted last Thursday 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 One Million, Eight Hundred Thousand Naira (N1,800,000) upon successful delivery of the consignment in Medina, Saudi Arabia,” Babafemi stated.
He also disclosed that NDLEA officers had, the previous day, also arrested a divorcee, Mrs Silifat Tunrayo Akanbi, at the Terminal 2 of the MMIA.
The divorcee was allegedly caught 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 was carried out
“During the operation 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,” Babafemi added.
In the same vein, NDLEA officers attached to courier companies have intercepted two drug consignments consisting of ecstasy and skunk going to United Arab Emirate.
The pills of ecstasy were concealed in a gold colour wedding gown, while 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 universitys gate in a follow up operation following the interception of the consignment in a commercial bus along Tombia-Amassoma Road,” it was stated in the release.
In Adamawa State, a notorious drug dealer, Sunday Ishaku Emzor (aka Lalas) who was convicted and sentenced to 15 years imprisonment in 2010 for drug offences, was arrested last Thursday for drug dealing.
“He was arrested at Hayin Gada, Imburu Numan Local Government Area 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,” it was stated.
On the same day in Zaria, Kaduna State, NDLEA operatives acting on credible intelligence, intercepted a truck conveying 110 bags and 200 compressed blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 1.223 tons (1,223kg).
The truck driver, Adekunle Olanrewaju (32), and his assistant, Tunde Jamiu (20), were arrested.
In Edo State, a 42-year-old cripple, Lucky Aigberenmolen trading in illicit drugs on his wheelchair, was arrested in a raid of drug joints in parts of the state.
Lucky was nabbed at Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area with 1.3kg of cannabis sativa and 10 litres of monkey tail.
Another suspect, Mary David (46), was arrested at Ugbegun, Esan Central Local Government Area with four litres of monkey tail.
Osagiede Stephanie (19) was arrested at Ekpoma, with various quantities of colorado, methamphetamine, and molly.
A 50kg cannabis stored in a bush ready for distribution was also recovered in Irrua area of the state.
Two suspects- Adeshina Olalekan and Christopher Joel- were arrested at Lektop Hotel, Igbeba, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.
They were caught with 39 litres of skuchies, as well as various quantities of tramadol, and rophynol.
In Imo State, NDLEA operatives intercepted a female suspect, Ijeoma Anyiam Loreza (40), at Orogwe, Owerri North Local Government Area with 70 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 30kg.
A notorious drug dealer in Okitipupa area of Ondo State, Mathew Obateru (42), was also taken into custody.
Different quantities of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, colorado and loud were recovered from him, it was stated.
In Taraba State, a suspect, Mohammed Usman was arrested on Monday, 17 April, in connection with the seizure of 10,009 pills of tramadol.
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), has commended the officers and men of the MMIA.
He also commended those at the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI), Bayelsa, Adamawa, Kaduna, Edo, Ogun, Imo, Ondo and Taraba states commands of the agency for the excellent job done in the past week.
The NDLEA boss also charged them and their compatriots across the country to continue to raise the professional bar in the daily discharge of their responsibilities.
