Ex-convict nabbed with South African-bound drug at Lagos airport

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have thwarted an attempt by an ex-convict, Olanrewaju Akorede, to smuggle a consignment of Rohypnol to South Africa via the export shed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

A statement by the agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, on Sunday said the “consignment was hidden in a cargo containing garri, shoes, men’s singlets, and other items.

“Akorede was convicted for a similar crime earlier this year following his arrest on December 12, 2023, for attempting to ship 4.90 kg of tramadol and 2.10 kg of Rohypnol to South Africa through the export shed of the Lagos airport.”

The statement said the suspect was sentenced to two years imprisonment by a Federal High Court in Lagos with an option to pay a fine of N900,000, which he paid and was freed before returning to repeat the same crime.