…Arrest Indian, 89 Nigerians in Lagos raids
By Seun Ibiyemi
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has intercepted 554 cartons of Tramadol loaded in a container at the Apapa seaport in Lagos, this is coming as its operatives arrested 90 persons including an Indian during raids of some drug cartels in Lagos where a total of 614.396 kilograms big various hard drugs were seized.
In a statement made available on Tuesday via the agency twitter handle by the Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi read that at the Apapa seaport, about two million capsules of Tramadol tucked in 554 cartons were intercepted in the container, which was falsely declared to contain ceramic tiles.
According to the Apapa seaport Area Commander of the NDLEA, Mr Samuel Gadzama said “one of the containers bearing the illicit drug has 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 investigation, he stated.
In the same vein, operatives of the Lagos State Command of the Agency has raided some drug spots in Agege, Ikorodu, Lekki, Okokomaiko and other parts of the state and dismantled major drug syndicate, arrested suspect and seized large quantities of hard drugs.
During the raid, a total of 90 suspects including an Indian were arrested while over 614kg 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 577.020kg, Cocaine 0.183kg, Heroine 0.003kg, Tramadol 36.202kg (7,697) tablets, Rohypnol 0.208kg (646) tablets, Diazepam 0.462kg (2066) tables, 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.
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 Apapa seaport seizures and Lagos raids, Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa commended the commanders, men and officers of the command involved in the operations for their efforts even as he charged them to remain focused on the maxim of his Leadership, that is, offensive action against illicit drugs users, peddlers, traffickers and the barons.