Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a wanted drug kingpin and Lagos socialite, Aishat Elediye, and Nollywood filmmaker Eme Mbadiwe, over illicit drug shipment.

This is contained in a statement by the agency’s spokesperson Femi Babafemi on Sunday in Abuja.

Mr Babafemi said the suspect,61, was arrested on January 1 in her mansion in the Okota area of Lagos following the interception of a truckload of illicit drug consignment from her staff.

He said the suspect, known as “Iya Ruka” in the drug world, and “Alhaja Elediye” in the social circle, has had her true identity shrouded in mystery for years.

Mr Babafemi said this was while she remained on the wanted list of NDLEA for leading one of the drug cartels operating in the Mushin area of Lagos.

According to him, the lid was, however, blown off her invincibility when NDLEA operatives, acting on intelligence, intercepted a truck carrying 44 jumbo sacks containing 1,540 kilogrammes of imported hemp.

Mr Babafemi said the truck was driven by one of her staff, 41-year-old Abideen Adio.

“The operatives, thereafter,  stormed her hideout at 33 Adebayo Oyewole Street, off Ago Palace Way, Okota, where they arrested her.

“On the surface, the suspect is a businesswoman, who imports fabrics and shoes from China but beneath is a massive illicit drug trade.

“She is also recognised as the Iyalaje of Blessing Sisters, an influential club of society women in Lagos,” said Mr Babafemi.

Mr Babafemi disclosed that in another major operation, NDLEA officers, on December 27, arrested U.S.-trained Hollywood and Nollywood filmmaker Mr  Mbadiwe for drug trafficking in Lagos.

He said the suspect, a motivational speaker, was nabbed at his Lekki Hotel room.

According to him, the arrest followed the arrest of his partner, Uzoekwe Ugochukwu, earlier on the same day at a warehouse in Ajao Estate Ikeja.

He said Mr Mbadiwe sent Mr Ugochukwu to collect a shipment of 33 parcels of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis weighing 17.30 kilogrammes.

Mr Babafemi said the drugs arrived at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, on December 24 from the United States on a Delta Airline flight, concealed in large wooden boxes.

(NAN)