By IBIRONKE ARIYO

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested an Indian businessman, Gupta Kumar and three Nigerian accomplices for drug trafficking.

The three Nigerian accomplices are; Ogunlana Olanrewaju, Olushola Kayode and Bakare Muheeb.

This is contained in a statement by the NDLEA Director, Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi, issued to newsmen in Abuja on Sunday.

Babafemi said that they were arrested in connection with the seizure of 2,248,000 pills of tramadol 200mg/225mg, intercepted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja in Lagos.

He said that the tramadol shipment worth N3.9billion in street value, was imported from Delhi, India.

He also said that it was disguised as multi-vitamins in 114 cartons and arrived the import shed of the Lagos airport on an Ethiopian Airline flight on Monday, Sept. 8.

“A team of NDLEA officers who had put the consignment under surveillance however, swooped on a clearing agent.

“Two drivers who were trying to move the shipment out of the airport in two trucks on Thursday, Sept. 11, were also arrested.

“A follow up operation the following day, Friday, led to the arrest of the Indian businessman, Gupta Ravi Kumar, when he was trying to take delivery of the consignment,” he said.

Meanwhile, at the terminal 2 departure gate of the airport, NDLEA operatives had on Sunday, Sept. 7, intercepted a passenger, one Onyeganochi Ifeanyi travelling on a Qatar Airline flight to Doha.

Babafemi said that a search of his bag led to the recovery of 900grams of skunk, a strain of cannabis concealed in crayfish.

“As a first-time traveler, Onyeganochi claimed the bag was given to him to help take to Doha by a Qatar-based Nigerian, Ohadiegwu Uchenna who actually followed him to the airport.

“His confession led to the arrest of Uchenna who was still within view.

“Operatives who later conducted a search of Uchenna’s hotel room in Ajao estate discovered additional 200grams of the same psychoactive substance.

“He claimed he was to return to Doha days later and pick the bag from the unsuspecting Onyeganochi, if he had succeeded in escaping security checks,” he said.

Babafemi quoted the NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, as commending the officers and men of MMIA, DOGI, Tincan, Lagos commands for the arrests and seizures.

Marwa enjoined them and their colleagues across the country to continue with the ongoing balanced approach to the drug control efforts of the agency. (NAN)