A notorious drug baron, Alhaji Suleiman Ganiu Aremu (a.k.a Barryshine), has finally been apprehended by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) after evading capture for two years.
According to the spokesman NDLEA Mr. Femi Babafemi in a statement says, Aremu, the Managing Director of Barryshine Suleiman Nigeria Ltd, had been on the agency’s radar since his alleged involvement in several foiled attempts to smuggle cocaine to Saudi Arabia and Qatar via Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
Explaining further, Aremu’s name first surfaced in November 2022 when a female passenger, Alhaja Ajisegiri Kehinde Sidika, was arrested with 400 grams of cocaine concealed in her footwear.
He added that, subsequent investigations revealed that Aremu had played a role in facilitating Sidika’s travel arrangements.
In the following months, two more drug mules were apprehended attempting to smuggle cocaine to Saudi Arabia and Qatar, respectively. Both cases were linked to Aremu’s operation.
Despite the mounting evidence against him, Mr. Babafemi says, Aremu managed to stay one step ahead of the authorities until August 2024 when he was finally apprehended.
Upon his arrest, Aremu claimed to be a legitimate businessman involved in property development and hotel management.
However, the NDLEA’s investigation uncovered properties linked to him that were suspected to have been financed through drug proceeds.
The statement states that, a Federal High Court in Lagos has granted the NDLEA’s request to detain Aremu for 30 days and has issued warrants for the arrest of two of his associates who are currently at large.
The agency is continuing its investigation into Aremu’s drug trafficking network and is committed to bringing all those involved to justice.
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