TheCable

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it seized 1.5 million capsules of opioids in Onitsha, Anambra state.

Tramadol, Exol-5 and Diazepam are among the opioids seized by the agency.

In a statement on Sunday, Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesman, said the drugs were recovered from a truck that was carrying “legitimate goods” to Kebbi state.

“Acting on credible intelligence, operatives in Edo state on Friday 14th January, 2022, intercepted a trailer coming from Onitsha and going to Yauri in Kebbi state,” the spokesman said.

“A thorough search of the truck led to the discovery of psychotropic substances concealed under legitimate goods.

“The drugs seized include: 394,480 capsules and 3,000 tablets of Tramadol weighing 83.707kg; Exol-5: 647,500 tablets weighing 203.315kg; Diazepam: 12,500 tablets weighing 2.05kg; Bromazepam: 1,500 tablets weighing 0.45kg; Codeine based Syrup: 999 bottles weighing 134.865kg; Pentazocine injections: 4,000 ampoules weighing 16.64kg.

“The driver of the truck, Bashir Lawali, 30, was arrested along with Abubakar Sani, 30, and Ali Abubakar, 19, while the exhibits in Kano were seized from one Sa’idu Yahya, 31.”

He said NDLEA operatives stopped traffickers from exporting parcels of cannabis to the UK.

“Attempts by drug traffickers to export 73 parcels of cannabis (34.05kg) concealed in foodstuff plastic containers to the United Kingdom through the NAHCO export shed of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos were frustrated by operatives on 8th January,” Babafemi said.

“In reverse bid, moves by illicit drug merchants to bring into Nigeria 94 parcels of cannabis indica (Colorado) weighing 43.4kg through the Tincan seaport in Lagos were crushed on 13th Jan. when operatives intercepted the drug inside a 40ft container from Canada.

“The exhibit was concealed inside a Toyota Camry car. This came on the heels of a similar seizure on 11th Jan. of 59 parcels of Colorado (17.3kg) concealed in a Mercedes Benz vehicle imported from Canada.”