An Indian businessman, Gupta Ravi Kumar, along with three Nigerian collaborators, has been arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) over alleged involvement in drug trafficking linked to a major tramadol seizure at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos.
The intercepted shipment, which arrived from Delhi, India, on September 8, contained 2,248,000 tramadol pills—worth an estimated N3.99 billion—concealed as multivitamins in 114 cartons.
According to a statement by NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, operatives tracked the consignment and apprehended a clearing agent and two drivers as they attempted to move it on September 11. Gupta was subsequently arrested when he came to claim the goods.
Reacting to the development, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CCEO) of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (retd), said, “This is one of the largest tramadol seizures we have made. The shipment underscores the ongoing threat posed by drug traffickers.”
In another raid, the NDLEA on September 7 intercepted one Onyeganochi Stanley Ifeanyi at the airport after he was found with 900 grams of skunk concealed in crayfish.
He was said to have been given the bag of crayfish by a Qatar-based Nigerian, identified as Ohadiegwu Anthony Uchenna.
Uchenna was also arrested following Onyeganochi’s confession, and additional drugs were found in his hotel room.
At Tincan Port, the NDLEA recovered 161 parcels of Canadian Loud cannabis weighing 81.7kg and 1.2kg of hashish oil from a container of vehicle spare parts.
Two suspects, John Ochigbo and Okeke Kingsley, were taken into custody in connection with the seizure.
The agency also intercepted a batch of methamphetamine concealed in a picture frame and Loud hidden in video players at courier companies in Lagos, as well as the seizure of over 6,000 bottles of skuchies, a cannabis-based drink, from a factory in Ikorodu.
Commending his officers’ efforts, Marwa said, “I urge all commands to maintain our balanced approach to drug control.”
Meanwhile, the NDLEA said that it continues its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiatives, targeting schools, community centres, and places of worship.
The statement contains claims that multiple arrests and drug seizures were reported across Nigeria, marking significant progress in the ongoing fight against drug trafficking and substance abuse.