Published February 25, 2021
Friday Olokor , Abuja
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested 90 persons, including an Indian , during raids on the hideouts of drug cartels in parts of Lagos State and confiscated 614 .396 kilograms of various hard drugs .
The agency also announced the interception of a container load of tramadol at the Apapa seaport in Lagos , estimated at about two million capsules tucked in 554 cartons .
The Lagos State Command of the NDLEA also raided some drug spots in Agege , Ikorodu , Lekki , Okokomaiko and other parts of the state , and dismantled major drug syndicates , arrested some suspects and seized large quantities of hard drugs .
A statement by the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy , Femi Babafemi , said 90 suspects , including an Indian , were arrested , while over 614kg of various types of drugs were seized during the raids .
The state Commander of the NDLEA , Ralph Igwenagu, was quoted as giving the breakdown of the seizures .
He said, “ A total of 577. 020 kg of cannabis Sativa was seized; cocaine , 0 .183 kg ; heroine , 0 .003 kg , Tramadol , 36 .202 kg ( 7 ,697 tablets ); Rohypnol , 0 .208 kg ( 646 tablets ); Diazapam , 0 .462 kg ( 2 ,066 tablets ); and Exol – 5 , 0 .52 kg ( 316 tablets ) , making a total of 614 .396 kg of different types of hard drugs .
“ 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 second syndicate is coordinated by an Indian , Inderpreet Singh, alias Bobby , that imports Tramadol 225 mg 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 Limited. Arrested with him is a Nigerian, one Sylvester Omorodion. ”
The Tramadol were intercepted in the container , which was falsely declared to contain ceramic tiles .
The Apapa Seaport Area Commander of the NDLEA, Samuel Gadzama , said one of the containers bearing the illicit drug had earlier 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 .
Reacting to the raids and seizures , the Chairman / Chief Executive , NDLEA , Brig . Gen . Buba Marwa ( retd) , commended the commanders and their officers involved in the operations .
He charged them to remain focussed on the maxim of his leadership, that is , offensive action against illicit drug users, peddlers , traffickers and barons .