54-year-old Saudi bound pilgrim excretes 32 wraps of cocaine

A54-year-old single mother of four, Owolabi Oluwayemisi Modinat, has been arrested for allegedly ingesting about 32 wraps of substance that tested positive for cocaine

She was arrested at the international wing of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos by officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The mother of four children was on her way to Saudi Arabia, for pilgrimage when she was arrested, it was gathered.

Mitchell Ofoyeju, Head of Public Affairs of the agency, who confirmed the development, said the suspect was arrested during an outward screening of passengers on board Qatar airline.

He said that operatives of the agency, during investigation found out that the lady had ingested substances that tested positive for cocaine.

The suspect hails from Kwara State. “Preliminary investigation revealed that she ingested 32 wraps of substances that tested positive for cocaine weighing 330 grammes.

“The suspect who hawks tea and bread to earn a living in Lagos was found to have collected N300,000 to smuggle drugs to Saudi under the pretext of going for pilgrimage.

“She was also going to Saudi as a private pilgrim and not as a group,” he added.

NDLEA commander at the Lagos airport, Ahmadu Garba, said that this was the second arrest of a pilgrim at the airport.

He said that one Odeyemi Omolara Morayo a.k.a. Ariyo Monsurat Olabisi was caught with 1.595kg of cocaine on her way to Saudi Arabia in February.

He also added that the suspect, Owolabi Oluwayemisi Modinat was cooperating with investigating officers and that she will be arraigned as soon as investigation was concluded.

The NDLEA Chairman/ Chief Executive, Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (retd.) while commenting on the arrest of Oluwayemisi Modinat said that the agency is working to prevent those hiding under the cover of pilgrimage to traffic narcotics.