The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced the arrest of Alhaji Suleiman Ganiu Aremu, also known as Barryshine, a notorious drug baron implicated in multiple cocaine trafficking attempts to Saudi Arabia and Qatar. This arrest marks the culmination of a two-year investigation by the NDLEA, which began when Suleiman first appeared on their radar in November 2022.
Suleiman, the Managing Director/CEO of Barryshine Suleiman Nigeria Ltd, was linked to four foiled cocaine export attempts through Lagos International Airport between 2022 and 2024.
The first incident occurred on November 13, 2022, when Alhaja Ajisegiri Kehinde Sidika was apprehended with 400 grams of cocaine concealed in female footwear while boarding a Qatar Airlines flight to Saudi Arabia. Subsequent investigations revealed that her travel expenses were covered by Suleiman's brother, Abdullahi Olarenwaju Ramon.
Further arrests followed, including Lawal Lateef Oyenuga on November 24, 2022, who was caught with an identical quantity of cocaine hidden in male footwear. Oyenuga confessed that he was hired by Wasiu Sanni Gbolahan, who in turn worked for Suleiman. Investigations identified another key player, Oluwafemi Akande Abidoye, also known by several aliases including Igbono and Murphy.
The NDLEA's efforts intensified in June 2024, leading to the arrest of two more couriers, Aikhomoun Daniel and Ayigoro Waheed Omobolaji, who were found with a combined total of nearly 1.7 kilograms of ingested cocaine. Both couriers were recruited by Igbono, further linking them to Suleiman's network.
Financial investigations corroborated these connections, prompting the NDLEA to freeze bank accounts associated with the cartel. Suleiman was finally detained on August 26, 2024. Despite his claims of being involved in property development, hotel management, and clothing business, evidence pointed to his major role in drug trafficking.
Justice Dipeolu Deinde Isaac of the Federal High Court, Lagos, granted the NDLEA's request to extend Suleiman's detention by 30 days and declared his associates, Igbono and Ramon, wanted.
NDLEA Chairman Brig-Gen Mohamed Marwa commended the agency's officers for their diligent work, emphasizing that "the long arm of the law will always get whoever is involved in the criminal trade no matter how long it takes."
Comentarios