National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has seized over 1.9 million tablets of Tramadol and Codeine imported into the country from Pakistan and the United Kingdom (UK) through the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, NjenjeMediaNews reports.
Of the total seizures, 40 cartons of Co-Codamol, a brand of paracetamol with Codeine, which is classified as Opioid, were seized from a freight agent, Eraikhueme Ehis.
NDLEA spokesperson Mr. Femi Babafemi said: “The seizure made on Thursday, March 10,2022, translates to 349, 800 tablets weighing 336kg. The consignment came from London, UK as a consolidated cargo through the SAHCO Import Shed of the airport. The consolidated cargo was declared as personal effects but was discovered to contain some medicaments.”
Also, 1, 584,000 tablets of Tramadol were recovered on Tuesday, 15th March, 2022, by NDLEA operatives in collaboration with Aviation Security (AVSEC) and Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) personnel at the airport.
The seizure included 17 cartons of 250mg Tramadol branded as “Tamra” weighing 669.70kg and five cartons of 225mg Tramadol under the brand name “Royal” with a gross weight of 217.15kg.
The psychotropic substance, which was imported into the country from Pakistan was smuggled through the airport tarmac using one of the vehicles of the Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) and was intercepted at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) personnel yard.
Two suspects: Ofijeh John Mova, a SAHCO driver and Nyam Gazu Alex, who is a security guard with the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) were arrested in connection with the seizure.
The previous day, Monday, 14th March, 2022, a total of 2,160 tablets of Co-codamol weighing 1.95kg and 240 tablets of Tramadol were also intercepted in a consolidated cargo from the UK at the SAHCO import shed of the airport. Follow up operations led to the arrest of the importer of the consignment, Omonijo Temidayo the following day Tuesday, 15th March.
Similarly, follow up operations led to the arrest of one Hajiya Mariam Saliu in Edo State on Monday, 14th March, 2022, after investigations uncovered her as the brain behind an attempt to export 1.55kg cannabis to Dubai through the Lagos airport on 5th March.
Also, NDLEA operatives arrested one of the kingpins behind the attempt to smuggle 11.93 kilograms of Cocaine to Accra, Ghana through the Seme land border, Lagos.
The 50-year-old suspect, Oyewunmi Ademola Ahmed was arrested on Tuesday 15th March at Mile 2 area of Lagos after series of follow up operation following the arrest of a driver, Osagie Anthony with the 11.913kg cocaine at Gbaji, Seme-Badagry Expressway on January 23, 2022.
