The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has arrested a 55 year old female pilgrim to Medina, Saudi Arabia for testing positive to narcotic ingestion at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja.
She was immediately placed under observation by officials of the anti-narcotics agency.
The suspect, who identity was disclosed as Mrs. Binuyo Basira Iyabo, was on her way to perform the annual pilgrimage when she was arrested.
She has so far excreted 76 pellets of substances found to be cocaine.
NDLEA commander at the Abuja airport, Hamisu Lawan said that the suspect is still under observation until she expels all the ingested pellets of drugs.
“Mrs. Binuyo was arrested during the outward screening of passengers on an Emirate flight to Medina through Dubai. She has so far excreted 76 pellets of drugs that tested positive for cocaine. Meanwhile, she is still under observation until the drugs are completely expelled”, Hamisu stated.
Binuyo, a married mother of three children and a trader at Dosumu market, Lagos, confessed to smuggling drugs, adding that her trip to Saudi Arabia for pilgrimage was footed by the person who gave her the drugs.
“I am a trader in Lagos, married with three children. I wanted to expand my cosmetic business but I have no money. My sponsor offered to foot my expenses to Saudi on pilgrimage. I was excited until I was asked to take drugs along. I wanted to decline but considering the offer of a million naira, I accepted. I swallowed the drugs in Lagos and took flight to Abuja on my way to Medina but I was caught in the process”, she stated.
