An Indian businessman, Gupta Ravi Kumar, along with three Nigerian accomplices, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) over alleged drug trafficking, following the seizure of more than two million tramadol pills intercepted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
The tramadol consignment, consisting of 2,248,000 pills valued at N3.99 billion, was disguised as multivitamins in 114 cartons and imported from Delhi, India, arriving on September 8.
According to NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, officers monitored the shipment before intercepting a clearing agent and two drivers on September 11 while they attempted to move it. Gupta was later arrested when he came to take delivery of the consignment.
Reacting to the seizure, the NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CCEO), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (retd), said:
“This is one of the largest tramadol seizures we have made. The shipment underscores the ongoing threat posed by drug traffickers.”
In a separate operation on September 7, NDLEA operatives arrested Onyeganochi Stanley Ifeanyi at the airport after discovering 900 grams of skunk concealed in crayfish. He confessed that the bag was given to him by a Qatar-based Nigerian, identified as Ohadiegwu Anthony Uchenna. Uchenna was subsequently arrested, and more drugs were recovered in his hotel room.
At Tincan Port, NDLEA operatives also seized 161 parcels of Canadian Loud cannabis weighing 81.7kg and 1.2kg of hashish oil from a container carrying vehicle spare parts. Two suspects, John Ochigbo and Okeke Kingsley, were arrested in connection with the shipment.
Further raids uncovered methamphetamine hidden in a picture frame and Loud cannabis concealed in video players at courier companies in Lagos. In addition, operatives intercepted over 6,000 bottles of skuchies, a cannabis-based drink, from a factory in Ikorodu.
Commending the efforts of his officers, Marwa said:
“I urge all commands to maintain our balanced approach to drug control.”
Meanwhile, the NDLEA confirmed that it continues to drive its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA)initiatives, targeting schools, community centres, and places of worship. The agency said multiple arrests and seizures recorded across the country represent significant progress in the ongoing war against drug trafficking and substance abuse.
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