The Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ahmadu Giade, has warned that the import license of Richy Gold International Limited will be withdrawn over alleged diversion of ephedrine, a precursor chemical used for the production of narcotic drugs.
The anti-drug trafficking agency is also investigating the activities of the managing director of Richy Gold, Jude Onwusonye Ejike, and a freight forwarder, Bernard Amanze Anyanwu, over unlawful possession, dealing and conspiracy to divert powdery substance suspected to be ephedrine contrary to and punishable under the NDLEA Act CAP N30 Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
According to Giade, chemical importation is a very sensitive activity that must be restricted to professionals with effective supervision. “The Agency is determined to prosecute this case to a logical conclusion. Ephedrine is one of the major precursor chemicals used in the production of psychotropic drugs. The Agency will not hesitate to withdraw the import license of Richy Gold and apply appropriate sanctions. It is important to address this issue from the root”.
Giade stressed that if the war against clandestine laboratories that produce methamphetamine in the country must be won, those who import chemicals and raw materials for such laboratories must play by the rules and be of high integrity.
Preliminary investigation by the NDLEA revealed that a drum containing 25kg of ephedrine was diverted from the warehouse of Richy Gold International. The company imported ephedrine in excess of their requirement as they only used 25kg in a year. It was also discovered that the management of Richy Gold has failed to justify why they requested for 250 kg when their annual production capacity is 25kg. The estimated street value of the 250kg ephedrine is 550,000 dollars.
The illegal deal was exposed when men of the Nigerian Police State Anti-Armed Robbery Squad (SARS) intercepted 49-year-old Bernard Amanze Anyanwu with the drug at Ijesha along Oshodi-Apapa Express Road. In his statement to the police, Bernard claimed that the 25kg drum of ephedrine was sent to him by one Hipo Njoku a friend of his that lives in India. He was later transferred to the NDLEA for further action.
Upon interrogation, officers of the NDLEA Joint Task Force led by the commander, Olumuyiwa Adeniyi, carried out a follow-up operation at the premises of Richy Gold at Amuwo Odofin Industrial Estate, Oshodi-Apapa Express Road, Lagos.
“During search, nine blue drums containing ephedrine which are similar to the one found with Bernard Amanze Anyanwu were discovered. The managing director of Richy Gold was invited to witness the search operations and they were taken to the office for further investigation activities” Olumuyiwa stated.
According to Bernard, “I began clearing and forwarding business after my secondary education in 1980. I clear a variety of goods including pharmaceuticals and chemicals. I was arrested by the police with a blue drum containing ephedrine I cleared for Richy Gold International”.
In his statement, 40-year-old Jude Onwusonye Ejike told narcotic investigators that the recovered ephedrine belongs to him.
“After my secondary education, my uncle sent me to Lagos to learn pharmaceutical business. I imported 250kg of ephedrine in 2013 legally with import permit from National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). Bernard has been my customs licensed agent for the past ten years. When NDLEA raided my company premises, I was surprised that one drum of 25kg ephedrine was missing. It is the store keeper that can explain what happened,” he said.
