The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said it has intercepted a container-load of tramadol at the Apapa port in Lagos, just as its operatives have 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 port, about two million capsules of tramadol tucked in 554 cartons were intercepted in a container, which was falsely declared to contain ceramic tiles.
According to the Apapa Port Area Commander of NDLEA, 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 said.
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, 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 was reportedly 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 was said to be 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. Singh is also a dealer in tricycle parts and the Managing Director of Rashaan Trading Ltd. He was arrested alon with a Nigerian named Sylvester Omorodion.