By Uzor Odigbo
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted a container-load of tramadol at the Lagos Port Complex.
It also arrested 90 persons, including an Indian, during raids of some drug cartels in parts of Lagos.
A total of 614.396 kilograms of various hard drugs were seized.
At the Apapa seaport, about two million capsules of tramadol (1,994,400 capsules) tucked in 554 cartons were intercepted in the container, which was falsely declared to contain ceramic till.
According to the Apapa seaport Area Commander of the NDLEA, Mr. Samuel Gadzama, one of the containers bearing the illicit drug had been intercepted and seized in Kenya.
“Although the second container found its way to Nigeria, the eagle eyes of our narcotic agents discovered it during a joint inspection of the ship. We’re continuing with further investigations,” he stated.
In the same vein, operatives of the Lagos State Command of the agency have 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.
During the raids, a total of 90 suspects including an Indian were arrested, while over 614 kg of various types of drugs were seized.
According to the Lagos state Commander of the agency, Mr. Ralph Igwenagu, “the breakdown of the seizures is as follows: Cannabis Sativa 577.020 kg; Cocaine 0.183kg, Heroine 0.003 kg, 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.”
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 co-ordinated 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.
Singh is also a dealer in tricycle parts and the Managing Director of Rashaan Trading Ltd.
Arrested with him is a Nigerian, one Sylvester Omorodion.
In his reaction to the Apapa seaport seizure and Lagos raids, Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) commended the Commanders, men and officers of the Commands involved in the operations.
He charged them to remain focussed on the maxim of his leadership— offensive action against illicit drug users, peddlers, traffickers and the barons.