The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted a container load of Tramadol at the Apapa seaport in Lagos.
NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi stated this in a release on Wednesday.
According to the statement, the agency arrested 90 persons including an Indian during raids of some drug cartels in parts of Lagos where a total of 614.396 kilograms of various hard drugs were seized.
Babafemi said that about two million capsules of Tramadol (precisely 1,994,400 capsules) tucked in 554 cartons were intercepted in a container at the Apapa seaport.
He said the container was falsely declared to contain ceramic tiles.
“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 statement read.
“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. 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.”
According to the Apapa seaport area commander of the NDLEA Samuel Gadzama, 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. We’re continuing with further investigations,” he stated.
Chairman and chief executive of the NDLEA Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Marwa (retd.), according to the statement, commended the officers involved in the operations for their efforts and charged them to remain focused.
