Lesser Hajj: Saudi-bound widower, divorcee arrested at Lagos airport with 14.4kg cocaine

Ariyibi Olaseinde and Tunrayo Akanbi, two Saudi Arabia-bound pilgrims, have been arrested in an attempt to smuggle 14.4kg of cocaine in fabrics.

The National Drug Law and Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) stated that the duo, who were going for the lesser hajj, were arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, on April 20.

“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 NDLEA,” the agency stated.

“The duo were arrested in an attempt to export 14.4 kg of cocaine concealed in lace and Ankara fabrics.”

The agency said Ariyibi, a widower, was arrested at the screening point of the airport with four sets of white lace which tested positive to cocaine.

“Ariyibi was intercepted on April 20 at the screening point of MMIA Terminal 2 during outward clearance of Qatar Airways passengers travelling from Lagos via Doha to Medina, Saudi Arabia,” said the NDLEA.

“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.”

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Ariyibi, who is also an advertising practitioner, is expected to be paid N1.8 million upon the successful delivery of the illicit drug in Medina.

“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 practise the process,” the NDLEA said.

Lesser Hajj: Saudi-bound widower, divorcee arrested at Lagos airport with 14.4kg cocaine

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— NDLEA NIGERIA (@ndlea_nigeria) April 23, 2023

“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.”

Akanbi, on the other hand, a clothes hawker, was arrested on April 19 with 2.90kg of cocaine concealed in six sheets of Ankara fabrics going to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

“The previous day, April 19, NDLEA officers at Terminal 2 of the airport also arrested Mrs. Silifat Tunrayo Akanbi with 2.90 kg of cocaine during the outward clearance of Qatar Airways passengers from Lagos via Doha to Jedda, Saudi Arabia,” the NDLEA said.

“A search of her hand luggage led to the discovery of six sheets of cocaine weighing 2.90kg concealed in Ankara fabrics. Investigation revealed that the suspect is a divorcee and a trader who used to hawk clothes around Awoyaya area of Ajah, Lagos.

“Based on the information in her statement, a follow up operation revealed that the person who recruited her is Alhaji Adebayo Adeola Wasiu, managing director of B&T Travel Agency, who was also arrested by the agency.”

Lesser Hajj: Saudi-bound widower, divorcee arrested at Lagos airport with 14.4kg cocaine