Funke Busari, Lagos
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has disclosed that two million capsules of Tramadol tucked in 554 cartons were intercepted at the Apapa Port in Lagos State in a container, which was falsely declared to contain ceramic tiles.
This was made known by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr. Femi Babafemi.
According NDLEA’s Spokeperson, 90 people were also arrested during raids on drug cartels in parts of the state.
He said various hard drugs of 614.396 kilograms were seized.
Among those arrested was an Indian.
The Apapa seaport Area Commander of the NDLEA, Mr. Samuel Gadzama, also said that one of the containers bearing the illicit drug had been intercepted and seized in Kenya.
“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.
Babafemi however said, “We’re continuing with further investigations.”
Meanwhile, the operatives of the Lagos State Command of the agency also raided some drug spots at Agege, Ikorodu, Lekki, Okokomaiko and other parts of the state and dismantled major drug syndicate, arrested suspects and seized large quantities of hard drugs.
Giving a break down of the seizures, Femi Babafemi quoted the NDLEA’ Commander, Mr. Ralph Igwenagu, he said underlisted drugs; Cannabis Sativa 577.020 kg, Cocaine (0.183kg), Heroine (0.003 kg), Tramadol (36.202kg) of 7,697 tablets, Rohypnol (0.208kg) of 646 tablets, Diazapam (0.462kg) of 2,066 tablets, Exol-5 (0.52kg) of 316 tablets, making a total of 614.396kg and different types of hard drugs were seized.
Igwenagu added that, “One of the drug syndicates busted during the raids is coordinated 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 the state. Mr. Singh is also a dealer in tricycle parts and the Managing Director of Rashaan Trading Ltd. Arrested with Singh is a Nigerian, one Sylvester Omoredien.”
