Operatives of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at Apapa seaport in Lagos state have on Wednesday intercepted a container load of tramadol.
Director, Media and Advocacy NDLEA headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi in a statement released on Wednesday February 24, said about two million capsules of Tramadol (precisely 1,994,400 capsules) tucked in 554 cartons were intercepted in the container which was falsely declared to contain ceramic tiles.
He quoted Apapa seaport Area Commander of the NDLEA, Mr. Samuel Gadzama as saying that one of the containers bearing the illicit drug had been intercepted and seized in Kenya.
Gadzama said;
Though the second container found its way to Nigeria but the eagle eyes of our narcotic agents discovered it during a joint inspection of the ship. Were continuing with further investigations.
NDLEA operatives also conducted raids at some drug spots in Agege, Ikorodu, Lekki, Okokomaiko and other parts of the state and dismantled major drug syndicates. Some suspects were arrested by the operatives who also seized large quantities of hard drugs.
Ninety suspects including an Indian were arrested while over 614kg of various types of drugs were seized.
Meanwhile, Lagos State Commander of the agency, Mr. Ralph Igwenagu gave a breakdown of the seizures as Cannabis Sativa 577.020kg; Cocaine 0.183kg, Heroine 0.003kg, Tramadol 36.202kg (7,697) tablets, Rohypnol 0.208kg (646) tablets, Diazapam 0.462kg (2066) tablets, Exol-5 0.52kg (316) tablets, making a total of 614.396kg.
Igwenagu stressed;
One of the drug syndicates busted during the raids is co-ordinated by one Samuel Ebenezer in Lekki whose cartel imports special sophisticated drugs baked in cakes, biscuits and cookies from the United States and sells to the rich and affluent people in Lekki and Lagos Island.
The second syndicate is coordinated by an Indian, Inderpreet Singh, alias Bobby that imports Tramadol 225mg from India and sells in Nigeria from his Osy Agomo Close, Apple Estate, Amuwo Odofin area of Lagos.
Mr. Singh is also a dealer in tricycle parts and the Managing Director of Rashaan Trading Ltd. Arrested with him is a Nigerian, one Sylvester Omoredien.
In his reaction to the Apapa seaport seizure and Lagos raids, Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd), commended the Commanders, men and officers of the Commands involved in the operations for their efforts.
He charged them to remain focussed on the maxim of his leadership, that is, offensive action against illicit drug users, peddlers, traffickers and the barons.
