The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested an Indian national, Gupta Ravi Kumar, along with three Nigerian accomplices, following the interception of 2,248,000 pills of Tramadol valued at nearly ₦3.9 billion.
The consignment, disguised as multivitamins, arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, on September 8 aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Delhi, India. NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, said operatives who had placed the shipment under surveillance swooped on a clearing agent and two drivers attempting to move the drugs out of the airport in two trucks on September 11.
A follow-up operation the next day led to the arrest of Kumar when he came to take delivery of the consignment.
Beyond the Lagos airport seizure, NDLEA operatives carried out multiple nationwide operations during the week:
Airport Interception: A Qatar Airways passenger, Onyeganochi Stanley Ifeanyi, was caught with 900 grams of cannabis (skunk) hidden in crayfish.
His confession led to the arrest of a Qatar-based Nigerian, Ohadiegwu Anthony Uchenna, who was found with additional quantities of the drug.
Tincan Port: Officers discovered 161 parcels of Canadian Loud (81.7kg) and 1.2kg of hashish oil concealed in a container of vehicle parts from Montreal, Canada. Two suspects were arrested. A related 65kg shipment was intercepted on the Third Mainland Bridge, with another suspect detained.
Courier Parcels: Separate parcels containing methamphetamine and cannabis concealed in a picture frame and video players were seized in Lagos.
Ikorodu Factory Raid: A factory producing “skuchies” — a cannabis-laced drink — was dismantled, with over 6,000 bottles and 4.2 tonnes of cannabis recovered. Two suspects were arrested.
Other States:
In Abuja, a dispatch rider was arrested with cocaine and cannabis.
In Oyo, three women were caught with 17kg of cannabis.
In Kano, officers seized 100,000 tramadol pills, 196 litres of Akuskura, and other substances in multiple raids.
In Anambra, a couple was arrested with 13.9kg of methamphetamine and 5.3kg of cannabis.
In Yobe, 22.1kg of cannabis was recovered from a residence.
In Ogun, three trans-border traffickers were arrested with 394kg of cannabis in Imeko.
In Edo, nearly 17 tonnes of cannabis were destroyed on a 6.8-hectare plantation, with four suspects apprehended.