Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) raided the Emerald Hotel in the Ladipo area of Oshodi,  Lagos State, where some intending pilgrims to the ongoing Hajj in Saudi Arabia were caught ingesting wraps of cocaine ahead of their flight to the holy land on Wednesday, June 5, 2024.

During the intelligence-led operation, four suspects were arrested: Usman Kamorudeen, 31; Olasunkanmi Owolabi, 46; Fatai Yekini, 38; and Ayinla Kemi, 34.

The suspects were lodged in two rooms in the hotel, preparing 200 pellets of cocaine weighing 2.20 kilograms to swallow when NDLEA officers stormed their rooms. One hundred wraps of the Class A substance were recovered from each room, making a total seizure of 200 wraps. Two suspects were set to swallow 100 wraps each.

Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, commended the Commander, officers, and men of the  Lagos State Command of the NDLEA for conducting the operation.

He emphasized that the agency will continue to extend its efforts to track, trace, and apprehend criminal elements attempting to use the pilgrimage to carry out illegal activities that could tarnish the country’s image.

The NDLEA chief also stated that the agency would collaborate with their counterparts in Saudi Arabia to ensure that the designated recipients of the seized illicit drug consignments in Saudi Arabia are also traced and dealt with accordingly.