ntercepts drugs in wedding gown, seizes 1.2 toms of skunk
• Undergraduate, cripple, ex-convict held
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said it has arrested a man, Ariyibi Ahmed Olaseinde, and a woman, Akanbi Silifat Tunrayo, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA Ikeja Lagos for attempting to export 14.4 kilograms of cocaine concealed in lace and ankara fabrics.
The suspects, the NDLEA said, were going for lesser hajj in Saudi Arabia before their interception on April 19 and 20, at the screening point, Terminal 2, MMIA, during outward clearance of Qatar Airways passengers travelling from Lagos to Medina through Doha.
Spokesman for the agency, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, adding that four sets of white lace fabrics with linings of substance that tested positive to cocaine weighing 11.50kg were discovered in Aribiyi’s carry-on luggage on April 20.
He said the man who claimed he was a widower and an advertising practitioner, said he planned to ingest the drugs but changed his mind after failed attempts to swallow bitter cola.
Babafemi said Ariyibi was to be paid N1.8 million upon successful delivery of the consignment in Medina, Saudi Arabia.
He said the female lesser hajj passenger was intercepted on April 19 by officers at same Terminal 2, with 2.90kg cocaine 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 and the person who recruited her, Alhaji Adebayo Adeola Wasiu, was arrested at 28, Olateju Street, Mushin, Lagos. Adebayo is the managing director of B&T Travel Agency.
