NDLEA reports N6.98bn tramadol seizure, cannabis hidden in Saudi-bound palm oil

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency says it has uncovered 8,725 kilogrammes of tramadol powder at Apapa Port in Lagos and intercepted cannabis concealed in a gallon of palm oil carried by a passenger travelling to Saudi Arabia.

The agency valued the tramadol shipment at more than N6.98 billion. Its spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, announced the seizures in a statement on Sunday, October 18, covering operations carried out earlier in the month.

At Apapa, officers working with the Nigeria Customs Service and other agencies examined cargo from India declared as maize starch on October 2. The NDLEA said laboratory testing identified the substance as tramadol hydrochloride powder.

The agency said the powder was separated from its concealment on October 14 and found to comprise 349 bags, with a gross weight of 8,725 kilogrammes.

In Kano, officers arrested Fatimah Ahmad on October 16 during clearance for an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Jeddah through Addis Ababa. The NDLEA alleged that a gallon of palm oil she was carrying contained 511.75 grammes of cannabis.

According to the agency, Ahmad told officers that her cousin, Abubakar Yahaya, had given her the gallon. It said Yahaya was then arrested at the airport car park.

The statement also reported the discovery of 55 kilogrammes of Canadian Loud cannabis hidden inside a Toyota Sienna in a container at Tin Can Port on October 12. The agency put the value of that seizure at N165 million.

In Ondo State, the NDLEA said it arrested five suspects during an October 17 raid on a cannabis farm at Okemoro Isinbode camp forest. It reported destroying 7,500 kilogrammes of skunk on three hectares and recovering 1,281 kilogrammes of cannabis, seeds and fresh stems.

Sources: Punch, Channels Television