NDLEA NABS NOTORIOUS DRUG BARON BARRYSHINE AFTER 2 YEARS OF MANHUNT
By Olayiwola Ibrahim // The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a wanted drug baron, Alhaji Suleiman Ganiu Aremu a.k.a. Barryshine, who was allegedly involved in four foiled attempts to export cocaine to Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
Suleiman, the Managing Director/CEO of Barryshine Suleiman Nigeria Ltd, was placed on the agency’s watchlist in 2022 following his alleged involvement in drug trafficking activities, the NDLEA said in a statement by its spokesperson, Femi Babafemi.
According to the agency, Suleiman, a renowned Lagos-based socialite, had played a role in four foiled attempts to export cocaine to Saudi Arabia and Qatar through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, between 2022 and 2024.
His name first featured on November 13, 2022, when a female passenger on a Qatar Airways flight to Saudi Arabia, Alhaja Ajisegiri Kehinde Sidika, was arrested at the MMIA in possession of 400 grams of cocaine, which was concealed inside female footwear.
Investigations later revealed that one Abdullahi Olarenwaju Ramon, who is a brother to Suleiman, hired the arrested drug courier. Further facts emerged that the flight tickets and other travel expenses of the suspect were sourced by Alhaji Suleiman Ganiu Aremu.
A few days after the arrest of Ajisegiri Kehinde Sidika, another drug mule, Lawal Lateef Oyenuga, was also arrested on November 24, 2022, with the same quantity of cocaine, 400 grams, concealed in male footwear while going to the same destination, Saudi Arabia.
The suspect, Lawal Lateef Oyenuga, confessed that one Wasiu Sanni Gbolahan a.k.a. Teacher, who was later arrested and convicted by the court, hired him for Suleiman.
Lawal further alleged that Wasiu Gbolahan linked him up with the baron through one Igbono, who was later unveiled through investigation as Oluwafemi Akande Abidoye a.k.a. Igbono, Murphy, Femi Iwaya, Ade Iwaya, Baba Eje, and Ejeoto.
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