It was the end of the road for a syndicate that specialized in importing fake drugs from China into Nigeria, following the arrest of one of its suspected members and the recovery of a truckload of Panadol Extra and Chloramphenicol eye-drop.
The arrest was made following a tip off, which saw operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Lagos State police command, storm the Trade Fair complex, along the Mile 2-Badagry expressway, where the truck was intercepted.
The 35-year-old suspect, Hope Ikerimba, had gone to supply the medicine to a buyer with an unknown identity. In an interview with the suspect, he said: โMy friend, Solomon Afoaku, owns the goods. He lives in Kano State. He called me on the phone last Thursday, that he would want me to help him supply the goods to a buyer. He said that the buyer refused to pay for the goods, saying he had to see them before he would pay.
โSomeone brought the goods to me at Trade Fair, where I sell spare parts. The plan was for the buyer to come inspect the goods there and thereafter, I would follow him to the bank to ensure he paid into Solomonโs account before I release the goods to him. Immediately the man arrived to inspect the goods, SARS men came.โ Read more