The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered a major opioid trafficking operation after intercepting more than 320,000 tramadol capsules concealed inside a truck transporting building materials to Taraba State, as the agency intensified a nationwide crackdown that also led to the arrest of a 75-year-old suspect and several other alleged drug traffickers across six states.
The latest operation resulted in the seizure of 320,840 capsules of tramadol, 600 ampoules of pentazocine injection, 4,500 tablets of Rohypnol and 299 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup hidden beneath building materials transported from Onitsha to Jalingo.
According to NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi, operatives intercepted the truck at the Nukkai Timber Shade in Jalingo following credible intelligence. A 22-year-old suspect, Buhari Abdullahi, was arrested in connection with the consignment.
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The seizure marks one of the agency’s most significant opioid interceptions in recent weeks and highlights ongoing efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks operating across Nigeria.
In Ebonyi State, operatives arrested 75-year-old Okebe Samuel in Okposi after recovering 300 grams of skunk allegedly prepared for retail distribution.
In Imo State, officers raided a drug hotspot in Umulolo, Orlu, arresting 32-year-old Chioma Okeke and recovering eight kilograms of skunk.
A series of raids in Edo State led to the arrest of four suspects, including three women. Authorities recovered skunk, Loud, methamphetamine and other psychotropic substances from different locations across Benin City.
In Kano, NDLEA operatives arrested 19-year-old Saifullahi Lawan with 38 kilograms of skunk, while another suspect, Ugwu Sabastine Ifebuchi, was intercepted in Gombe State with 15,000 capsules of tramadol.
The agency said the operations are part of ongoing nationwide efforts to disrupt illicit drug supply chains and tackle rising substance abuse.
NDLEA also continued its War Against Drug Abuse campaign through sensitisation programmes in schools across several states.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), praised officers involved in the operations and reaffirmed the agency’s determination to pursue traffickers regardless of age, gender or concealment methods.
