NDLEA intercepts N200m worth of tramadol in Lagos
…Seizes illicit substances in six other states
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 10 cartons of tramadol 225mg with an estimated street value of N200 million in Lagos.
The Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi, said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.
Babafemi said the consignment was packaged as “tramaking” containing 500,000 tablets with a total weight of 407kg.
He said the illicit drugs were seized during a joint examination with the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) at the NCS warehouse.
He added that the consignment had arrived Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) import shed since June 6 from India via Ethiopian Airline.
He also added that it was eventually transferred to the NDLEA by Customs on June 15.
“The previous day, June 14, a similar joint examination with Customs at the Customs enforcement terminal, Tincan seaport, Lagos led to the seizure of 33 parcels of cannabis indica (Colorado) weighing 16.5kgs.
“The drug exhibit was recovered from a 40-foot container, TRHU 7874497 containing four vehicles.
“The cannabis coming from Montreal, Canada was discovered in three out of the four vehicles in the container,” he said.
Meanwhile, Babafemi said operatives of the NDLEA also foiled an attempt by drug traffickers to export parcels of methamphetamine, popularly called Mkpuru Mmiri.
He said the drugs, which were locally concealed in cornflakes packs and body cream containers, were to be exported to Malaysia and Australia respectively.
He said the drugs were seized at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja, and a courier company in Lagos respectively.
“As a result, two freight agents; Nneji Anoma and Etoh Barnabas, involved in the bid to export nine parcels of methamphetamine were arrested on June 15.
“The drug, which weighed 1.45kg, was hidden in packs of cornflakes to Malaysia through the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) export shed of the MMIA.
“Operatives of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation, (DOGI) at the agency attached to a courier company also intercepted a kilogram of methamphetamine concealed in body cream containers heading to Australia,” he said.
Babafemi quoted the Chairman, NDLEA, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa as commending the officers and men of the MMIA, DOGI and Tincan for the arrests and seizures.
Meanwhile, The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted illicit substances in Adamawa, Borno, Kogi, Ogun, Zamfara and Taraba states respectively.
The Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi, said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.
Babafemi said a notorious drug dealer, Abdullahi Musa, a.k.a Yerima Uding, wanted for some past attacks on officers and men of the agency was in the early hours of June 16 arrested in Hong town, Adamawa.
He said the 53-year-old suspect was caught with 57 blocks of compressed cannabis sativa, concealed in the boot of his ash coloured Toyota Corolla car with reg. no. GMB 185 MF.
He also the suspect had been fingered as the mastermind of the mob attack in Hong on Oct. 6, 2020.
This, he said, led to the death of an NDLEA operative and another officer now bedridden due to incapacitation.
“In Borno State, another drug dealer, Umar Musa, was arrested in Tashan Kano, Gwoza LGA on June 17 with 8,000 capsules and tablets of Tramadol weighing 4.550kgs.
“32.182kgs cannabis were seized by NDLEA operatives along Okene/Abuja highway, Kogi state from a commercial bus travelling from Lagos to Abuja,” he said.
Babafemi said operatives also arrested one Nwanbunike Chibuike, 22, with 19,576 tablets of Exol-5, Diazepam following credible intelligence in Ogun.
He said tramadol and Rohypnol as well as 7.9 litres of Codeine were also seized at Ogere, Ikenne LGA, Ogun, on June 15.
“In Zamfara, a consignment of 11,660 tablets of Hyponox and 6,000 ampoules of pentazocine injection was recovered from a drug dealer, Success Amaefuna, at Tsafe area of the state on his way to Sokoto State.
“5,000 tablets of Tramadol were seized from Darius Mbugun, 33, who ordered the consignment from Onitsha, Anambra.
“The drug exhibit was concealed in a bag of garri for distribution in Gembu, Sardauna LGA, Taraba,” he said.
Babafemi quoted the Chairman, NDLEA, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa as commending the officers and men of Adamawa, Borno, Kogi, Ogun, Zamfara and Taraba commands of the agency for the seizures and arrests of the past week.
Marwa encouraged them and their compatriots across other formations to remain vigilant and intensify their offensive action against the drug cartels in all parts of the country.
