An intending pilgrim, Binuyo Basari Iyabo, who was arrested over a week ago by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, for drugs ingestion, has excreted six more wraps of cocaine pellets, bringing the total to 82.
When she was first arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja during the outward screening of pilgrims, Mrs. Binuyo excreted 76 pellets of substances that tested positive for cocaine.
In a statement Saturday, the anti-narcotic agency said the woman would be “severely sanctioned” in line with the anti-narcotics laws of the land.
Hamisu Lawan, NDLEA commander at the Abuja airport, confirmed the total number of wraps of cocaine ingested by the suspect while under observation.
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“Mrs Binuyo Basari Iyabo while under observation expelled eighty-two wraps of cocaine weighing nine hundred and thirty-one (931) grammes”, Mr. Lawan said.
“All arrangements have been concluded for her prosecution”.
The 55-year-old mother of three who hails from Kwara State, confessed to smuggling drugs, adding that she need money to expand her business, according to the NDLEA.
Binuyo, a trader at Dosumu market in Lagos, further confessed that her trip to Saudi Arabia for pilgrimage was sponsored by the person who gave her the drugs.
“My sponsor offered to foot my expenses to Saudi on pilgrimage”, she said. “This was how I got involved in the act. I was excited until the issue of drugs was introduced. I wanted to decline but it was late”.
“Besides, I was offered a million naira which I accepted. I swallowed the drugs in Lagos and took a flight to Abuja on my way to Medina but I was caught in the process”, she added.
The NDLEA Chairman/CEO, Col. Muhammad Abdallah (retd.), said the agency would invoke the powers of the law against the suspect and others caught indulging in production and trafficking in narcotic drugs.
“It is a shameful and discreditable act for a 55 year old mother who is going on a holy pilgrimage to ingest narcotics”, said Mr. Abdallah.
“This is very shocking and a clear indication of her inability to effectively discharge parental responsibility. The Agency shall invoke the powers of the law against her and others caught indulging in production/trafficking in narcotic drugs”.
