By Chinonye Anyatonwu
The Apapa Command of Nigeria Customs Service(NCS) has handed over N3.7b seized tramadol tablets packed in 150 cartons containing 4,500,000 capsules of 120mg to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Lagos.
Comptroller Malanta Ibrahim Yusuf, Customs Area Controller of the Command while handing over the drugs to Ameh Inalegwu, Narcotic Commander, warned that the Apapa Port will continually be a no go area for all forms of illegal trade
He said the command is strengthening it’s synergy with NDLEA and other government agencies in ensuring that importers of illicit drugs and their collaborators are stopped.
While urging compliant traders to keep obeying the law, the CAC said all antics being applied to evade detection including disguised labeling will always be uncovered in the course of examination.
Comptroller Ibrahim said no stone will be left unturned in bringing perpetrators of such illegal importation to book
Receiving the seizures, Inalegwu commended the NCS for it’s persistence and uncompromising efforts in the fight against illicit drugs.
Inalegwu who is the Commander of Apapa Special Area Command said the society is further saved from the havoc such quantity of drugs could cause if undetected and allowed to the market.
According to him,the street value of the prohibited drugs which used to be N8m per cartoon has increased to N25m following sustained pressure by the NDLEA on the peddlers which has resulted in reduced volume in circulation.
He further expressed the commendation of the Chairman, Chief Executive of the NDLEA , General Buba Marwa to the customs for the productive synergy between both agencies and urged other organisations to emulate it.
The seized drugs were discovered in two terminals under the Apapa Command.
A set of 100 cartons were uncovered in Jaelith Bonded Terminal while another 50 cartons of same brand and milligram were found in ESS Libra Terminal in Ikorodu area of Lagos
