Hajj 2024: Four intending pilgrims nabbed with cocaine consignments in Lagos

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has raided Emerald Hotel, in the Ladipo area of Oshodi, Lagos State, where some intending pilgrims for the ongoing Hajj in Saudi Arabia were lodged.

During the operation, on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, four suspects were caught in the act of ingesting wraps of cocaine, ahead of their flight to the holy land.

The four are: Usman Kamorudeen, 31; Olasunkanmi Owolabi, 46; Fatai Yekini, 38; and a lady, Ayinla Kemi, 34. They were lodged in two rooms where they had prepared 200 pellets of cocaine weighing 2.20kg for ingestion when NDLEA officers stormed their rooms.

Commending the commander, officers and men of the Lagos State Command of NDLEA, which conducted the operation, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd) said the agency will continue to spread its dragnet to track, trace and apprehend criminal elements who may want to hide under the guise of going on pilgrimage to carry out nefarious activities capable of denting the image of the country.

The NDLEA boss added: “The agency will work with our counterparts in Saudi Arabia to ensure that the designated recipients of seized illicit drug consignments in any part of Saudi Arabia are also traced and dealt with accordingly.”