Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), in a sting operation, have burst a drug cartel that specializes in importing cakes, biscuits, and other confections (baked with drugs) for the rich in Lagos State.
In the process, the agency arrested the leader of the group, Samuel Ebenezer.
“One of the drug syndicates busted during the raids is coordinated by one Samuel Ebenezer in Lekki. His cartel imports special sophisticated drugs baked in cakes, biscuits, and cookies from the United States and sells to the rich and affluent people in Lekki and Lagos Island,” NDLEA said in a statement by its Director, Media, and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, Abuja, on Wednesday.
NDLEA also intercepted a container load of Tramadol at the Apapa seaport in Lagos, Babafemi said.
Babafemi said that about two million capsules of Tramadol (precisely 1,994,400 capsules) were tucked in 554 cartons in the container, which was falsely declared to contain ceramic tiles.
One of the containers bearing the banned drug had previously been intercepted and seized in Kenya, Mr. Samuel Gadzama, the Apapa seaport Area Commander of the NDLEA, explained.
“Though the second container found its way to Nigeria but the eagle eyes of our narcotic agents discovered it during a joint inspection of the ship. We’re continuing with further investigations,” he said.
NDLEA operatives in Lagos also raided some drug spots in Agege, Ikorodu, Lekki, Okokomaiko, and other parts of the state, and in the process dismantled major drug syndicates, arrested suspects, and seized large quantities of hard drugs, the statement indicated.
A total of 90 suspects, including an Indian, were arrested, with over 614 kg of various types of drugs seized.
Ralph Igwenagu, Lagos State Commander of NDLEA, gave a breakdown of the seizures is as follows: Cannabis Sativa 577.020 kg; Cocaine 0.183kg, Heroine 0.003 kg, Tramadol 36.202kg (7,697) tablets, Rohypnol 0.208kg (646) tablets, Diazapam 0.462kg (2066) tablets, Exol-5 0.52kg (316) tablets, making a total of 614.396kg of different types of hard drugs seized.’
“The second syndicate is co-ordinated by an Indian, Inderpreet Singh, alias Bobby that imports Tramadol 225mg from India and sells in Nigeria from his Osy Agomo Close, Apple Estate, Amuwo Odofin area of Lagos. Mr. Singh is also a dealer in tricycle parts and the Managing Director of Rashaan Trading Ltd. Arrested with him is a Nigerian, one Sylvester Omoredien.
“In his reaction to the Apapa seaport seizure and Lagos raids, Chairman/ Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd commended the Commanders, men, and officers of the Command involved in the operations for their efforts even as he charged them to remain focused on the maxim of his leadership, that is, offensive action against illicit drug users, peddlers, traffickers, and the barons,” the statement noted.
