NDLEA intercepts 3 million opioid capsules at Lagos Terminal; 8,613 kg of “Loud” at Eko Beach – Arise News

National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) officers intercepted three million capsules of opioids at the Jaelith Bonded Container Terminal under Tincan Seaport in the Apapa area of ​​Lagos.

Opioids are known to be more dangerous and potent than tramadol, which is popularly consumed in the country.

The seizure of the three million Tapentadol and Carisoprodol capsules weighing 1,500 kilograms on Monday, according to NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi, follows a similar operation in which anti-narcotics officers from the agency also intercepted 8,613 kilograms of Loud Cannabis smuggled from Ghana through the waterways at Eko Atlantic Beach, Victoria Island, Lagos the day before, Sunday March 6.

He said the drugs seized at the bonded terminal were discovered during a joint examination of a 20-foot container, SUDU 7774749 with men from the customs department. Although the shipment originated from Ningbo province in China and was falsely labeled as containing 271 packages of “insulating fittings, faucet toilets, industrial desktop printers”, investigations revealed that information on the bill of lading and the shipping documents were wrong.

Babafemi said further investigations revealed that the container originated in India and arrived in the Nigerian port of Apapa on February 10, 2022, with results showing that the Tramadol found and labeled as Tafrodol 120mg is actually Tramadol. Tapentadol, which is a more dangerous and potent opioid than Tramadol.

It was also discovered that the container, SUDU 7774749, had been shipped from India to the port of Nhava Sheva and then transhipped via Morocco and Ghana to Nigeria.

He said that based on credible intelligence, agents from the agency’s command in Lagos, in the early hours of Sunday, March 6, intercepted a shipment of Cannabis Sativa (Strong) weighing 8,613 kilograms smuggled from Ghana. by waterways to the side of Eko Atlantic Beach, Victoria Island. .

He added that some drivers and their assistants: Adeyemi Bayioku, 31; Godwin Anya, 28; Yusuf Taofik, 20, and Adeniyi Adelaja, 19, who were on the ground loading the cargo into their vehicles were quickly arrested while two trucks, a Siena space bus, a Peugeot Boxer bus and a Toyota Camry car were brought to them seized.

Meanwhile, NDLEA President/CEO Brig. General Buba Marwa (Retired) commended the officers and men of Tincan Port and the agency command in Lagos for their vigilance and commitment to the mission of ridding Nigeria of illicit drugs. He also applauded the current synergy and working relationship between the agency and other law enforcement agencies in the country.

Michael Olugbode in Abuja