Operatives of Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have apprehended a businesswoman, Adewunmi Adebola Dorcas, and an auto parts dealer, Arinze Ora, for attempting to smuggle illegal drugs to London, UK, and Congo Brazzaville.
On Friday, September 6, 2024, NDLEA officers at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport intercepted a cargo headed to the UK.
Hidden among foodstuffs were 924 bottles of codeine-based syrup (weighing 135.70kg) and 5,250 tablets of rohypnol.
This led to the arrest of the freight agent, Owojori Olanrewaju Sunday, who had presented the cargo for export.
Upon further investigation, Owojori revealed that Adewunmi Akeem Temitope had sent the consignment on behalf of his mother, Mrs. Adewunmi Adebola Dorcas, a foodstuffs dealer in Ibadan. Mrs. Adewunmi was arrested the following day, and Owojori confessed to working for her, earning N2,411,000 for the job.
In a separate case on September 11, NDLEA officers at the same airport intercepted a cargo of auto spare parts and custard powder bound for Congo Brazzaville.
After a diligent search, 300 grams of cocaine were discovered hidden in containers of custard powder.
A follow-up operation led to the arrest of Arinze Ora, the consignor, who runs an auto parts business in Lagos.