Personnel of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), have arrested an Ibadan, Oyo State-based businesswoman, Mrs. Adewunmi Adebola Dorcas and an auto parts dealer, Arinze Ora, over attempts to export consignments of opioids and cocaine to London, United Kingdom and Congo Brazzaville.
The Agency’s Spokesperson, Mr Femi Babafemi, in a statement yesterday said the NDLEA officers intercepted the drugs at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on Friday, September 6, going to the United Kingdom.
A thorough search of the consignment revealed 924 bottles of codeine-based syrup, weighing 135.70kg and 5,250 tablets of rohypnol hidden in cartons of foodstuffs. The freight agent, Owojori Olanrewaju Sunday, who presented the cargo for export was promptly arrested.
Further investigation led to the arrest of another suspect, Adewunmi Akeem Temitope, who claimed that his mother, 58-year-old Mrs.
Adewunmi Adebola Dorcas, sent the consignment to him from Ibadan to deliver to the agent. A follow up operation on Saturday, September 7, led to the arrest of Mrs. Adewunmi in Ibadan where she deals in foodstuffs and cargo export.
In his statement, the agent Owojori confessed that he has been working for Mrs. Adewunmi to export cargoes to the UK, adding that he was paid N2,411,000.00 for the job, while he was paid N2.1million for a similar consignment he handled for the businesswoman earlier.
In the same vein, NDLEA operatives at the same export shed of the Lagos airport on Wednesday, September 11, intercepted some cartons of auto spare parts and checkers powder custard going to Congo Brazzaville on Ethiopian Airlines.
A diligent search of the cargo led to the discovery of 300 grams of cocaine concealed in the containers of the checkers powder custard packed together with some auto parts.