Drug trafficking: NDLEA intercepts N5bn worth of tramadol tablets in 3 states

*Buba Marwa, Chairman of NDLEA, commends the working relationship between the anti-narcotics regulator and other security agencies in the country

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

In an effort at protecting the Nigerian consumers against drug trafficking and substance abuse, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has stated seized about 9.5 million tablets of Tramadol and Exol 5 worth over N5 billion in three states in the country.

ConsumerConnect reports Mr. Femi Babafemi, Director of Media and Advocacy at NDLEA, said this Sunday, April 4, 2022, in Abuja, FCT.

Babafemi noted that the agency’s operatives intercepted Pharmaceutical Opioids from the suspects at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, FCT Abuja, and Edo State respectively.

The regulatory agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy stated the operation was carried out in collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

The NDLEA also said: “Of the figure, 214 cartons of Tramadol 225 under 10 different brand names, which translate to 9, 219, 400 tablets weighing 6, 384.5kg, with an estimated street value of N4, 609, 700, 000 were transferred Tuesday, March 29.

Babafemi further stated: “This is alongside the seizure of 85 cartons of dried Khat leaves with a total weight of 1, 327.35kg by the Nigerian Customs at the MMIA Command of NDLEA as a symbol of the synergy between the two law enforcement agencies.

“In Abuja, about 228,740 tablets and capsules of Tramadol and Exol 5 were intercepted on Friday, April 1, at Abaji area of the FCT. The truck conveying the drugs was loaded in Lagos heading to Kano.”

The statement also noted: “Though the truck driver escaped into the bush during the search of the vehicle, two of his assistants, Usman Abdulmumini, 23, and Aminu Ahmad, 22, were arrested.”

In a related development, the agency’s operatives further raid three drug joints at Wire Road, Benin City, and Uromi town in Esan Central LGA of Edo where 188 pinches of Cocaine and Heroin were recovered with five suspects arrested.

The NDLEA said certain Harrison Odion, a patent medicine dealer, was arrested with 70 bottles of codeine based cough syrup in another raid in Okada town, Edo State.

He said that 9,638 Tramadol capsules; 16,843 tablets of Exol-5; 80 tablets of Diazepam and 62 ampules of Diazepam injection were seized.

He added that NDLEA operatives in the state also destroyed seven clusters of dry season Cannabis Sativa farms in Okpuje Forest along the banks of River Ose totaling 3.124998 hectares.

Meanwhile, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd.), Chairman of NDLEA, has commended the working relationship between NDLEA and other security agencies in the country.

Babafemi said Marwa charged Officers and Men of the MMIA, FCT, and Edo not to rest on their oars.

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