NDLEA arrests importer of tramadol at Lagos airport

The operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested one Okosun Paul Punitt, the consignee of a consignment of tramadol concealed in a bottle of dietary supplements, which a staff of Pathfinder International Limited, Ajuzieogu Mac-Elvis Ugochukwu, attempted to send through an intending passenger on Ibom Air to Accra, Ghana at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos State.

A video of the fracas between the passenger and Ajuzieogu, on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, went viral after the passenger suspected the consignment contained illicit substances.

The NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, who made the disclosure in a statement issued on Sunday, said Punitt was arrested by the anti-narcotic officers on Friday, January 19.

Babafemi stated: “A video of the face-off between the passenger and Ajuzieogu later went viral after the vigilant passenger suspected the consignment contained illicit substances. Both Ajuzieogu and the exhibit were later transferred to NDLEA on Thursday 18th January by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN for investigation.

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“Preliminary findings by NDLEA showed the parcel contained 50 pills of tramadol 225mg concealed in a bottle of dietary supplements. A follow-up operation by the Agency led to the arrest of Okosun upon his return from Ghana on Friday. He has in his statement confirmed ownership of the drug.”

While commending the anti-narcotic officers for the arrest and seizure, the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), urged them and their compatriots across all formations of the Agency to remain focused and resolute in pursuit of the corporate goal of winning the war against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria.

Marwa further charged them to maintain the flame of collaboration with other law enforcement agencies and stakeholders in their areas of responsibility.

The Star