NDLEA ARRESTS MECCA AND CHINA BOUND PASSENGERS WITH COCAINE

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), have arrested a 55-year-old female pilgrim, Mrs. Binuyo Basira Iyabo, to Saudi Arabia with cocaine at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

NDLEA Head of Public Affairs, Mitchel Ofoyeju, in a statement, said the suspect has so far excreted 76 pellets of substances found to be cocaine.

He disclosed that at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, (MMIA) Lagos, officials also intercepted a 37-year-old father of three children for inserting seven wraps of cocaine weighing 355 grammes inside his anus.

According to him, the Lagos suspect was going to China.

NDLEA commander at the Abuja airport, Hamisu Lawan said that the female suspect is still under observation until she expels all the ingested pellets of drugs.

The statement said Mrs. Binuyo, a mother of three children and trader at the Dosumu market, Lagos, hails from Irepodun local government area of Kwara State.

In her statement, she agreed to smuggling of the drugs for a fee. “…I wanted to expand my cosmetic business but I have no money. My sponsor offered to foot my expenses to Saudi on pilgrimage. I was excited until I was asked to take drugs along. I wanted to decline but considering the offer of a million naira, I accepted.”

The other suspect was apprehended during outward screening of passengers on an Ethiopian Airline flight to China reroute Hong Kong through Addis Ababa.

The other suspect was found to have inserted seven wraps of cocaine weighing 355 grammes in his anus at the MMI. He was apprehended during outward screening of passengers on an Ethiopian Airline flight to Hong Kong, China through Addis Ababa.

NDLEA commander at the airport, Ahmadu Garba said that the suspect, who hails from Imo State, holds a dual citizenship of Nigeria and Mali.

He said: “He hails from Imo State but was travelling with a Malian international passport. The name on his passport is Diara Sauduo while his Nigerian name is Okpalanem Henry. The case is under investigation.”

The suspect, who expelled seven wraps of cocaine on his way to China,  said: “I know that there is capital punishment for drug trafficking in China but I was optimistic of safe passage. Unfortunately, I was caught with only seven wraps. Maybe that is my destiny. I am married with three children.”

Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (rtd) expressed satisfaction with the arrests stating that it is a result of diligence and vigilance.