Ayobamiji Komolafe 
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has successfully arrested Suleiman Aremu, a notorious drug baron known for orchestrating multiple attempts to traffic cocaine internationally.
Aremu, also known as “Barryshine,” had been on the agency’s wanted list for two years due to his involvement in numerous foiled cocaine smuggling operations.
His network was linked to failed attempts at smuggling cocaine to countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar, primarily through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
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Aremu’s network involved the recruitment of drug mules who were intercepted during various drug-busting operations by NDLEA officials between 2022 and 2024.
These seizures were part of ongoing investigations that led to his eventual capture.
His arrest is a major win for the NDLEA’s ongoing war against narcotics smuggling, and he is expected to face prosecution on multiple drug trafficking charges.
The arrest sheds light on the expansive nature of Aremu’s network, which is believed to span multiple countries, making him one of the most wanted drug traffickers in Nigeria.
The NDLEA officials have praised the coordinated efforts of their agents and intelligence teams, who tirelessly worked to track down Aremu and dismantle his operations.
The agency has reiterated its commitment to curbing drug-related activities in the country and ensuring that traffickers face the full extent of the law.
