CONTRABAND: Alleged Importer of seized N8b Tramadol tablets, in court- NDLEA

Tayo Oladipupo

National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has said that a suspect is being prosecuted in court over recent seizures of controlled tramadol imported into the country through the Apapa port.

The spokesman of the Agency, Jonah Achema, said in a telephone chat that the agency had been monitoring suspected containers in Apapa since September 2017.

Achema who refused to disclose the identity of the suspect directed our correspondent to the High Court for further enquiries.

On the approved threshold for Tramadol, Achema said 50 and 100 milligrams of Tramadol tablets were approved as prescription drugs and that higher milligrams ranging from 120 and 250 are classified illicit.

Nigeria Customs Service last week made whooping seizures of Tramadol tablets in Apapa and Tincan Ports of Lagos worth over N8b duty paid value.

It announced arrests of 3 suspects in connection with 40 units of 40ft containers in Apapa and 2 suspects in respect of 10 units of 20ft containers in Tincan Port.

Customs operatives in Apapa had collected N150m bribe, kept the money as evidence and arrested the giver.

Controller General of Nigeria Customs Service, Col. Hameed Ali had reiterated customs zero tolerance for smuggling and corruption, while showing the drug seizures and bribe money to journalists in Lagos.