NDLEA Intercepts Over 320,000 Tramadol Capsules in Taraba, Arrests 75-Year-Old Suspect in Ebonyi
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted a large consignment of opioids concealed in a truck transporting building materials to Taraba State and arrested a 75-year-old suspected drug dealer in Ebonyi State as part of its sustained nationwide offensive against illicit drug trafficking.
The agency also apprehended several suspected traffickers, including four female drug dealers, during separate operations across Edo, Imo, Kano and Gombe states.
The Director of Media and Advocacy at NDLEA Headquarters, Mr. Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja.
According to Babafemi, operatives of the agency in Taraba State dealt a significant blow to drug trafficking networks following the interception of a truck conveying building materials from Onitsha, Anambra State, to Jalingo, Taraba State.
The operation, carried out on Saturday at the Nukkai Timber Shade in Jalingo following credible intelligence, led to the discovery of a substantial cache of illicit drugs hidden beneath the truck’s cargo.
A 22-year-old suspect, Buhari Abdullahi, was arrested in connection with the seizure.
Recovered items included 320,840 capsules of tramadol, 600 ampoules of pentazocine injection, 4,500 tablets of rohypnol, and 299 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup.
In a separate operation in Ebonyi State, NDLEA operatives arrested a 75-year-old suspect, Okebe Samuel, in the Okposi community. The suspect was reportedly found in possession of 300 grammes of skunk, a strain of cannabis, packaged in retail sachets allegedly intended for distribution to youths within the community.
In Imo State, operatives raided a known drug trafficking enclave at Umulolo in Orlu Local Government Area, resulting in the arrest of a 32-year-old female suspect, Chioma Okeke. The operation yielded the recovery of eight kilogrammes of skunk.
Similarly, a series of raids conducted at identified drug hotspots across Benin City, Edo State, led to the arrest of four suspected traffickers, including three women.
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At the Uyosa area of the city, two female suspects, Chioma Igba, 24, and Precious Ozomah, 22, were arrested with various illicit substances. Recovered exhibits included 176 grammes of skunk, 65 grammes of Loud, and five grammes of methamphetamine.
Along Agbor Road, operatives arrested 21-year-old Anita Abraham with 95 grammes of Scottish Loud and 329 grammes of regular Loud.
At the Upper Mission area of Benin City, a 43-year-old suspect, Henry Okey, was apprehended with quantities of Loud, Colorado, Swinol, and methamphetamine.
In Kano State, NDLEA officers arrested a 19-year-old suspect, Saifullahi Lawan, at the Kafi area of Madobi Local Government Area. He was found in possession of 40 blocks of skunk weighing 38 kilogrammes.
Meanwhile, in Gombe State, operatives intercepted a 28-year-old suspect, Ugwu Sabastine Ifebuchi, near Dantiti Plaza in the Tumfure area of Gombe, where he was arrested with 15,000 capsules of tramadol.
Beyond enforcement operations, the agency said its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaign continued across the country through sensitisation programmes in schools and communities.
Babafemi disclosed that awareness lectures were delivered to students and staff of Holiness Foundation Primary School in Saki, Oyo State; Dorras High School, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State; Ado Girls Secondary School, Onitsha, Anambra State; and Army Day Secondary School, Kano State, among others.
Reacting to the successes recorded, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, retired Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, commended officers and personnel of the Taraba, Ebonyi, Imo, Edo, Kano and Gombe Commands for their vigilance, professionalism and commitment to duty.
Marwa also praised officers nationwide for effectively balancing drug supply reduction operations with drug demand reduction initiatives through sustained public sensitisation campaigns.
He reaffirmed the agency’s determination to dismantle drug trafficking networks and bring offenders to justice.
“The agency remains fully committed to dismantling drug supply chains and will continue to target traffickers regardless of age, gender or concealment methods,” Marwa stated.
By PRNigeria
