Crime
NDLEA intercepts 1.5million Tramadol tablets enroute Kebbi, Kano
The National Drug Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has intercepted around 1.5 million tablets and capsules of pharmaceutical opioids like Tramadol, Exol-5 and Diazepam loaded in Onitsha, Anambra State.
This is contained in a statement by NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi on Sunday in Abuja.
Babafemi said the drugs, which were bound for Yauri in Kebbi state, were intercepted in Edo by the NDLEA on Friday, January 14, the same day that 425,000 diazepam tablets were recovered in Segemu, Kano.
He said that acting on credible intelligence, operatives in Edo on Friday January 14 intercepted a trailer coming from Onitsha to Yauri in Kebbi state.
“A thorough search of the truck led to the discovery of psychotropic substances hidden under legitimate assets.
“The drug seized was: 394,480 capsules and 3,000 tablets of Tramadol weighing 83,707 kg; Exol-5: 647,500 tablets weighing 203,315 kg; Diazepam: 12,500 tablets of 2.05 kg;
In addition, there was “Bromazepam: 1,500 tablets of 0.45 kg; Codeine-based syrup: 999 bottles weighing 134,865 kg; Pentazocine injections: 4,000 ampoules weighing 16.64 kg,” he said.
Babafemi said the truck driver, Bashir Lawali, 30, was arrested along with Abubakar Sani, 30, and Ali Abubakar, 19, while the exhibits in Kano were confiscated from a certain Sa’idu Yahya, 31. .
Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives have thwarted an attempt by drug traffickers to export 73 packs of cannabis (34.05kg) concealed in plastic food containers to the UK.
This was through the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc, NAHCO Export Shed at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos on January 8.
Babafemi said the operatives also intercepted another 50 cannabis shipment packages (27.25 kg) destined for the United States, at the airport’s export shed on Tuesday, January 11.
He said at least three suspects have been arrested so far.
In a reverse bid, movements by illicit drug traffickers to bring 94 packs of cannabis indica (Colorado) weighing 43.4 kg into Nigeria, through the Tin Can seaport in Lagos, were crushed on 13 January.
“When the operatives intercepted the drug inside a 40-foot container coming from Canada; the exhibit was hidden inside a Toyota Camry car.
“This comes on the heels of a similar seizure on January 11 of 59 Colorado packages (17.3 kg) concealed in a Mercedes Benz vehicle imported from Canada,” he said.
Contact: info@royalnews.com.ng