Woman, man arrested over attempt to export cocaine hidden in custard

The operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested an Ibadan in Oyo State-based businesswoman, Adewunmi Adebola Dorcas, and an auto parts dealer, Arinze Ora, over attempts to export consignments of opioids and cocaine to London, the United Kingdom, and Congo-Brazzaville, respectively.

The NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, September 15, 2024.

Babafemi noted that the NDLEA officers at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos had, on Friday, September 6, intercepted a cargo going to the United Kingdom.

He said a thorough search of the consignment revealed 924 bottles of codeine-based syrup weighing 135.70kg and 5,250 tablets of Rohypnol were hidden in cartons of foodstuffs.

He stated that a freight agent, Owojori Olanrewaju Sunday, who presented the cargo for export was thereafter arrested.

The NDLEA spokesman said a further investigation led to the arrest of another suspect, Adewunmi Akeem Temitope, who claimed that his 58-year-old mother, Adewunmi Adebola Dorcas, sent the consignment to him from Ibadan to deliver to the agent.

NDLEA intercepts drugs hidden in sanitary pads, hair cream

Babafemi disclosed that a follow-up operation on Saturday, September 7, led to the arrest of Adewunmi in Ibadan where she deals in foodstuffs and cargo export.

Babafemi said agent Owojori, in his statement, confessed that he has been working for Adewunmi to export cargoes to the UK, adding that he was paid N2,411,000 for the job, while he was paid N2.1 million for a similar consignment handled for the businesswoman earlier.

He added that the 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.

The spokesperson for the anti-drug agency noted that a diligent search of the cargo led to the discovery of 300 grams of cocaine concealed in the containers of checkers powder custard packed together with some auto parts.

Babafemi said a follow-up operation led to the arrest of the sender of the consignment, Arinze Ora, who deals in auto parts at Aspanda Trade Fair Auto Parts Wing in the Amuwo Odofin area of Lagos.

See the video below:

The Star