Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a Nigerian man based in Italy, Edobor Ambrose Ali, for attempting to smuggle over 14,000 pills of tramadol concealed in winter jackets through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.
Ali, who claimed to be a resident of Milan, was intercepted on Saturday, June 14, by NDLEA officers in collaboration with Aviation Security personnel of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) as he tried to board an Air France flight to Italy.
Spokesperson for the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, in a statement issued on Sunday, said the suspect’s luggage was flagged during routine baggage checks at the airport tarmac, prompting a thorough inspection.
A total of 14,410 tablets of tramadol — comprising 225mg and 200mg dosages — were discovered concealed inside several winter coats packed in his luggage.
Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to being recruited in Italy to carry out the illicit assignment.
He disclosed that the trip was fully sponsored by his handlers and that he was promised a sum of €2,000 upon successful delivery of the consignment in Milan.
“I live in Italy where I was hired and sent on an all-expense-paid trip to Nigeria to courier the drug consignments to Milan for a fee of €2,000,” Ali told NDLEA investigators.
The arrest forms part of the agency’s ongoing crackdown on international drug trafficking cartels using Nigerian airports as exit routes for illicit narcotics.
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the MMIA command for its vigilance and successful operation.
He also applauded officers across various commands for their continuous efforts in disrupting the drug supply chain while simultaneously tackling drug demand through preventive initiatives.
“This operation is another significant stride in our mission to shut down drug trafficking channels and dismantle the syndicates behind them,” Marwa said.
The suspect is currently in NDLEA custody and is expected to face prosecution after further investigations.
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