NDLEA Captures Notorious Drug Kingpin Linked To Four Cocaine Smugglings To Saudi Arabia, Qatar

NDLEA Captures Notorious Drug Kingpin Linked To Four Cocaine Smugglings To Saudi Arabia, Qatar....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced the arrest of a wanted drug baron, Alhaji Suleiman Ganiu Aremu, also known as Barryshine, two years after he came onto the agency’s radar.

Suleiman, the Managing Director/CEO of Barryshine Suleiman Nigeria Ltd, was placed on the NDLEA watchlist due to his alleged involvement in multiple failed attempts to smuggle cocaine to Saudi Arabia and Qatar via Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos between 2022 and 2024.

The announcement came from Femi Babafemi, Director of Media and Advocacy at NDLEA Headquarters in Abuja, on Friday.

Babafemi detailed that Suleiman’s name first appeared on November 13, 2022, when a female passenger, Alhaja Ajisegiri Kehinde Sidika, was apprehended at MMIA carrying 400 grams of cocaine hidden inside women’s footwears. Subsequent investigations revealed that Abdullahi Olarenwaju Ramon, Suleiman’s brother, was involved in hiring Sidika. Suleiman was also linked to funding her flight and travel expenses.

Just days after Sidika’s arrest, Lawal Lateef Oyenuga was caught on November 24, 2022, with the same amount of cocaine concealed in men’s footwears, bound for Saudi Arabia. Oyenuga admitted that Wasiu Sanni Gbolahan, who was later convicted, had hired him for Suleiman. Further investigation revealed that Gbolahan was connected to Suleiman through Oluwafemi Akande Abidoye, also known as Igbono.

While investigations continued, two more drug mules were arrested on June 21, 2024, at MMIA. Aikhomoun Daniel, who ingested 90 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.022kg, and Ayigoro Waheed Omobolaji, who excreted 60 wraps of cocaine weighing 662 grams, were both linked to Igbono, who had previously been involved with Sidika and Oyenuga.

A financial probe by the NDLEA further connected Suleiman to the arrested couriers and two of his associates, Oluwafemi Akande Abidoye and Olanrewaju Abdullahi Ramon, who are both still at large. The agency froze bank accounts associated with the cartel, leading to Suleiman’s arrest on August 26, 2024.

Suleiman has claimed to be involved in property development and hotel management, with additional business interests in clothing at Balogun Market in Lagos Island. He also stated that his trips to Saudi Arabia were for religious purposes. He holds the traditional title of Akeweje of Yaba (Youth Leader of Yaba Land).

Properties traced to Suleiman include two homes on Queens Street, Ebute-Meta, and the Barryshine Hotel on Freeman Street, Yaba, Lagos.

Justice Dipeolu Deinde Isaac of the Federal High Court in Lagos has granted the NDLEA’s request for a 30-day extension of Suleiman’s detention and issued a warrant for the arrest of his two associates, Abidoye and Ramon. In the ruling, Justice Dipeolu declared Abidoye and Ramon wanted for their involvement in drug trafficking with Suleiman.

NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) praised the MMIA Strategic Command for their diligent two-year investigation, resulting in the arrest of the cartel leader and the conviction of several traffickers. Marwa emphasized that justice will prevail against those involved in drug trafficking, regardless of the time it takes.

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