NDLEA intercepts container load of Tramadol in Apapa port

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted a container load of Tramadol at the Apapa seaport in Lagos.

This is as its operatives have arrested 90 persons including an Indian national during raids of some drug cartels in parts of Lagos where a total of 614.396kg of various hard drugs were seized.

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The Director, Media and Advocacy NDLEA headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, said on Wednesday in Abuja that at the Apapa seaport, 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.

Babafemi quoted the 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.”

Babafemi added that in the same vein, operatives of the Lagos State Command of the agency raided some drug spots in Agege, Ikorodu, Lekki, Okokomaiko and other parts of the state and dismantled major drug syndicates, arrested suspects and seized large quantities of hard drugs.

He said that during the raids, 90 suspects including an Indian were arrested while over 614kg of various types of drugs were seized.

He also quoted the Lagos State Commander of the agency, Mr. Ralph Igwenagu, as giving the breakdown of the seizures is 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 of different types of hard drugs seized.

He said, “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.”

Reacting to the developments, the Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brig-Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (Retd) commended the commanders, men and officers of the commands involved in the operations for their efforts even as 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.