NDLEA breaks drug smuggling ring using Hajj pilgrims as couriers

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has made a significant breakthrough by dismantling a criminal network that exploited Hajj pilgrims as drug couriers to Saudi Arabia.

Three major cartel leaders were apprehended in Kano in connection with this operation.

In a statement released by NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi, it was revealed that the arrests followed the apprehension of two intending pilgrims at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, who were caught with 90 pellets of cocaine.

“The timely intervention of our operatives was crucial in intercepting these individuals,” Babafemi stated.

The pilgrims, identified as Ibrahim Mustapha and Muhammad Shifado, underwent body scans that confirmed the ingestion of illegal substances.

“During observation, each suspect excreted 45 wraps of cocaine, bringing the total to 90 pellets weighing 1.04 kg,” he added. The investigation quickly led to the identification of their sponsors, resulting in the capture of Abubakar Muhammad, Abdulhakeem Tijjani, and Muhammad Aji Shugaba on May 27 and 28.

In another operation, a 60-year-old businessman, Chinedu Leonard Okigbo, was arrested while preparing to board a flight to Iran. His body scan revealed 65 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.41 kg.

Additionally, NDLEA operatives seized over 825,200 bottles of codeine-based syrup and trodol valued at ₦5.78 billion at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex, along with 5.1 million tapentadol pills worth ₦3.57 billion, culminating in a total street value of ₦9.35 billion.

In a separate incident, Abubakar Hussein and Sahabi Adamu were apprehended on the Kano-Maiduguri Road with $900,000 in suspected counterfeit currency.

In Adamawa State, authorities discovered 390 compressed blocks of skunk cannabis, while in Kwara State, notorious drug dealer Alhaja Mutiat Abdul-Fatai was arrested with various opioids.

Chairman and Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd), commended the dedication of the agency’s operatives, highlighting their effective efforts in reducing both drug supply and demand nationwide.

“We must continue working tirelessly to combat drug trafficking and protect our communities,” Marwa emphasized.

Source: PUNCH