By Ashraf Abdul Wahab.
Tripoli, 17 May 2014:
Just over ten million Tramadol pills have been seized in Misrata. . . .[restrict]With an estimated street value of over LD 100 million, it is the largest drugs bust in Libya.
Members of the counter drugs forces and anti-smuggling apparatus in Misrata confiscated the massive shipment from a 20-foot container recently arrived to the Misrata Free Trade Zone from India. The operation was mounted following a tip-off and with the cooperation of Misratan customs officials and Misrata’s Thuwar Union.
It is believed that the container, which was loaded amongst medical equipment and supplies, was intended to go to Tripoli and would have been sold on the Libyan market. According to a statement released by officials in Misrata this is the largest such seizure to have taken place in Libya.
Investigators have said following interviews with those arrested in connection with the shipment that a former regime official may be linked to the operation. They added that they believed the smuggling to have been an attempt to undermine the revolution. [/restrict]