DRUG SYNDICATE CONCEAL 3.200KG OF COCAINE IN CANDLES,
THEY ARE FOR SPIRITUAL PRAYERS- SUSPECT
Determined to smuggle drugs through the Murtala Mohammed International Airport
(MMIA) Lagos, a suspected drug syndicate has concealed 3.200kg of high grade
cocaine with an estimated street value of 30 million naira inside candles.
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) made the
discovery last Sunday during the inward screening of passengers on Emirate
flight from Brazil. The drug was industrially packed inside six big candles,
four of which are black while the other two are green. While answering
questions
from narcotic officers, the suspect said that the candles were meant for
spiritual use. Not satisfied with the explanation, the candles were broken and
found to contain cocaine.
The prime suspect, Aina Fausat Olarewaju was immediately arrested at
the arrival
wing of the Airport following the discovery of the cocaine-laden candles in her
luggage containing female shoes, bags and clothes. According to the
anti-narcotic Agency, the 45 year old single mother of two children is believed
to be working for an international drug cartel with stronghold in Brazil. She
had also been taken on follow-up operations within the country to arrest others
people linked with the crime. Two persons have been arrested in connection with
the unlawful import but the Agency has commenced investigation to determine
their degree of involvement.
The candle light mode of drug concealment attracted the attention of other
security operatives and passengers at the airport during search. According to
the NDLEA Airport Commander, Alhaji Hamza Umar, drug cartels are daring and can
go to any length in hiding drugs away from the reach of drug law enforcement
officers. “There is no limit to the tricks of drug trafficking syndicates. The
candle light mode of concealment is simply amazing, but what is
important is our
ability uncover the drugs notwithstanding their criminal devices” Hamza
stressed.
NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Ahmadu Giade also charged officers to
continue to
expose the dirty tricks of drug barons through meticulous search operations.
“This seizure is an interesting one because each time we make such fantastic
discoveries; we are encouraged to do more because of the commendations we
usually receive from our counterparts in other countries. Officers must
therefore remain committed at all times because unless drug barons quit the
illicit trade, we shall continue to detect their tricks” Giade stated.
Aina Fausat Olanrewaju is an international business woman that sells
jewelleries, shoes and clothes. Since 2002, she has been going to Indian to buy
her wares until she was recruited by the drug cartel. She claimed this was her
first drug trafficking trip. In her words, “this is my first time of smuggling
hard drugs. I was contacted to travel to Brazil to bring in the drug. I spent
three months in Sao Paulo and they promised to pay me half a million naira. I
accepted because I am suffering from fibroid growth in my stomach. I was asked
to say that it is meant for spiritual purpose”. The suspect hails from Isolo,
Lagos and has two children, a 23 year old female and 20 year old male. However
investigation has commenced into her case and anyone found culpable
will soon be
charged to court
THEY ARE FOR SPIRITUAL PRAYERS- SUSPECT
Determined to smuggle drugs through the Murtala Mohammed International Airport
(MMIA) Lagos, a suspected drug syndicate has concealed 3.200kg of high grade
cocaine with an estimated street value of 30 million naira inside candles.
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) made the
discovery last Sunday during the inward screening of passengers on Emirate
flight from Brazil. The drug was industrially packed inside six big candles,
four of which are black while the other two are green. While answering
questions
from narcotic officers, the suspect said that the candles were meant for
spiritual use. Not satisfied with the explanation, the candles were broken and
found to contain cocaine.
The prime suspect, Aina Fausat Olarewaju was immediately arrested at
the arrival
wing of the Airport following the discovery of the cocaine-laden candles in her
luggage containing female shoes, bags and clothes. According to the
anti-narcotic Agency, the 45 year old single mother of two children is believed
to be working for an international drug cartel with stronghold in Brazil. She
had also been taken on follow-up operations within the country to arrest others
people linked with the crime. Two persons have been arrested in connection with
the unlawful import but the Agency has commenced investigation to determine
their degree of involvement.
The candle light mode of drug concealment attracted the attention of other
security operatives and passengers at the airport during search. According to
the NDLEA Airport Commander, Alhaji Hamza Umar, drug cartels are daring and can
go to any length in hiding drugs away from the reach of drug law enforcement
officers. “There is no limit to the tricks of drug trafficking syndicates. The
candle light mode of concealment is simply amazing, but what is
important is our
ability uncover the drugs notwithstanding their criminal devices” Hamza
stressed.
NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Ahmadu Giade also charged officers to
continue to
expose the dirty tricks of drug barons through meticulous search operations.
“This seizure is an interesting one because each time we make such fantastic
discoveries; we are encouraged to do more because of the commendations we
usually receive from our counterparts in other countries. Officers must
therefore remain committed at all times because unless drug barons quit the
illicit trade, we shall continue to detect their tricks” Giade stated.
Aina Fausat Olanrewaju is an international business woman that sells
jewelleries, shoes and clothes. Since 2002, she has been going to Indian to buy
her wares until she was recruited by the drug cartel. She claimed this was her
first drug trafficking trip. In her words, “this is my first time of smuggling
hard drugs. I was contacted to travel to Brazil to bring in the drug. I spent
three months in Sao Paulo and they promised to pay me half a million naira. I
accepted because I am suffering from fibroid growth in my stomach. I was asked
to say that it is meant for spiritual purpose”. The suspect hails from Isolo,
Lagos and has two children, a 23 year old female and 20 year old male. However
investigation has commenced into her case and anyone found culpable
will soon be
charged to court
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