The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 607 cartons containing 11, 785, 800 tablets loaded with tramadol in Lagos.
NDLEA Head of Public Affairs, Jonah Achema, said the Chairman, Muhammad Abdallah, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja.
Police detectives in Apapa Area Command of Lagos State intercepted a 40-foot container laden with drugs suspected to be tramadol and codeine on August 6.
The investigation further revealed another 40-foot container and the joint examination also revealed 255 cartons of tramadol variants and other banned medicines on August 19.
“This was discovered in another container number TCNU 9465832 belonging to the same suspect transferred to NDLEA by the Police.
This brings the number of containers intercepted to three. The containers were used to carefully conceal illegally imported tramadol and other medicines to Nigeria.”
Abdallah noted that the interception and investigation were with the assistance and cooperation of the Apapa Customs Area Command.
He added that the NDLEA will do everything within its powers to get to the root of the drug trade. He enjoined other security agencies to collaborate with the agency in its ongoing investigations.
The recent discovery of more tramadol using the same route from Pakistan Asia – Hamburg, Europe – Nigeria has shown the evasive system of operation by the drug cartel to beat security operatives.
This is a major breakthrough in the fight against illegal importation of tramadol into Nigeria.