NDLEA Intercepts 1.2 Million Tramadol Pills in Recent Operations

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Nigeria has been busy cracking down on drug trafficking in the country, as evidenced by recent seizures in Kogi and Gombe states. In two separate operations, NDLEA operatives seized over 1.2 million pills of opioids, indicating a significant amount of drugs that could have potentially been distributed on the streets.

In addition, anti-narcotic officers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos disrupted the activities of a drug syndicate that operates between Nigeria, East Africa, and Europe. Two members of the cartel were arrested, and 3.00 kilograms of heroin were recovered. The drug syndicate networks between Nigeria, Malawi, Mozambique in East Africa, and Europe.

Further, NDLEA operatives at the SAHCO export shed of the MMIA intercepted a jerrycan of palm oil bound for Dubai, United Arab Emirates, which was found to contain 600 grams of cannabis sativa. A suspect, Tunde Ogunbowale, who presented the consignment for export to Dubai, was arrested.

The NDLEA officers also thwarted an attempt to export 2.7kg of cannabis packaged as part of dried onions to Dubai through a postal service firm. The carton was filled with colorful sachets of dried onions, which were used to conceal the illicit consignment.

In Kogi state, NDLEA operatives seized 530,160 pills of tramadol and 99,000 tabs of diazepam from a bus driver coming from Onitsha, Anambra state and going to Kontagora in Niger State. On the same day, 576,100 pills of tramadol were intercepted in Gombe State, concealed in bags of rubber slippers. Four suspects have been arrested in connection with the seizure.

In Kaduna, NDLEA operatives recovered 367 kilograms of cannabis sativa from a vehicle, resulting in the arrest of two suspects. The suspects attempted to offer a bribe of One Million Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N1,200,000) to the NDLEA officers, which was documented as part of exhibits to prosecute the suspects.

In Delta state, NDLEA operatives arrested a local female distiller of cannabis sativa and dry gin, Ebi Akpotudua, who was producing a cocktail drink popularly known as monkey tail. She was found with 19.5 liters of monkey tail and 22.2kg cannabis.

Chairman/Chief Executive Officers of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) commended the officers and men of MMIA, DOGI, Kogi, Gombe, Kaduna, and Delta Commands for their professionalism and staying focused. He charged them and their colleagues across the country to intensify the heat on drug cartels. These recent seizures demonstrate the agency’s commitment to tackling drug trafficking in Nigeria and protecting the health and safety of citizens.