Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have dismantled drug syndicates and seized over 31 million pills of tramadol and large quantities of codeine-based syrup, valued at over N17.93 billion, across key ports in Rivers and Lagos States.
In a recent statement, the NDLEA revealed the extensive operation that led to these significant seizures. The agency, acting on intelligence about shipments from India, conducted a comprehensive examination of containers in collaboration with the Nigerian Customs Service and other security agencies.
The seizures include:
– **At Tincan Port, Lagos:** On August 29 and 30, 2024, NDLEA operatives intercepted two containers containing 350,000 bottles of codeine-based syrup, with each container holding 175,000 bottles.
– **At Port Harcourt Port Complex, Onne:** On August 29, 2024, operatives discovered 447 cartons of tramadol 225mg, totaling 29,840,000 pills, along with 380,000 bottles of codeine syrup from three containers.
– **Subsequent Inspection:** On August 30, 2024, three additional containers were inspected, leading to the recovery of 3,030 cartons of codeine syrup, containing 554,600 bottles.
The total value of the seized codeine syrup is estimated at N8.992 billion, while the tramadol pills are valued at N8.94 billion.
In another operation at Port Harcourt International Airport on August 27, 2024, a suspect, Eze Don, was apprehended attempting to board a flight to Malabo, Equatorial Guinea with 1,490 pills of tramadol concealed in cosmetic packaging.
Additionally, Ms. Aderinoye Christmas, a former beauty queen and fugitive wanted by the NDLEA, has surrendered to the agency in Lagos. She was previously declared wanted following a raid on her Lekki residence in January. The search recovered 606 grams of synthetic cannabis, an electronic weighing scale, and other drug-related items.
The NDLEA has vowed to continue its aggressive efforts against drug trafficking and related criminal activities, underscoring the importance of collaborative security measures in combating the illicit drug trade.
