By: Kadijatu Bangura, Reporter D.S
Pakistani authorities have intercepted a staggering shipment of the highly addictive drug Tramadol, en route to Sierra Leone, raising significant concerns about international drug trafficking routes. The illicit cargo, disguised as a shipment of towels, was seized at a Karachi seaport, marking the second major Tramadol seizure in Pakistan within a month.
According to the Collectorate of Customs Enforcement Karachi, customs officials confiscated an astounding 5.6 million Tramadol Hydrochloride tablets last Saturday, valued at approximately 2.8 billion Pakistani Rupees (about $9,991,079). The shipment reportedly originated from India.
This seizure follows a previous incident last month, where customs recovered 21.8 million Tramadol tablets and 7,000 capsules valued at 10 billion Pakistani Rupees. These incidents further confirm that Sierra Leone is a target for a well-organized international drug smuggling network.
The smugglers attempted to export the Tramadol to Freetown, Sierra Leone, falsely declaring the shipment as “towels.” The exporting company, Ahmad Trading, had initially filed the necessary documentation with the Exports Collectorate in Karachi, and the consignment was cleared through the Risk Management System’s green channel, which typically bypasses thorough examination.
However, acting on credible intelligence, Customs authorities flagged the container at the Qasim International Container Terminal. A subsequent scan and physical examination revealed the concealed Tramadol tablets alongside undeclared biscuits hidden among the legitimate goods.
A First Information Report (FIR) has been filed against Ahmad Trading and their clearing agent, Speed Line (Private) Limited, for violating the Customs Act and the Import and Export Control Act of 1950. Authorities allege that the companies misused the green channel and provided false declarations to facilitate the smuggling operation.
Tramadol, a controlled psychotropic drug in many countries, is widely abused in Africa and the Middle East, making Sierra Leone a critical point of transit or final destination in this illegal trade. Customs authorities are now working to dismantle the entire smuggling network involved in this illicit operation, underscoring the challenges faced in combating international drug trafficking and the urgent need for enhanced security measures at ports to prevent such shipments from reaching Sierra Leone and other destinations.
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