Daybreak, Politics, Entertainment, Sport

Tag: Tramadol

  • NDLEA Intercepts 1.9million Tablets Of Tramadol, Codeine At Lagos Airport

    NDLEA Intercepts 1.9million Tablets Of Tramadol, Codeine At Lagos Airport

    Operatives of the National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have seized over 1.9 million tablets of Tramadol and Codeine imported into the country from Pakistan and United Kingdom through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja Lagos.

    The agency disclosed this in a statement signed by the spokesperson, Femi Babafemi on Wednesday.

    Babafemi explained that 40 cartons of Co-Codamol, a brand of paracetamol with Codeine, which is classified as Opioid, were seized from a freight agent, Eraikhueme Ehis.

    “The seizure made on Thursday, March 10 translates to 349, 800 tablets weighing 336kg. The consignment came from London, UK as a consolidated cargo through the SAHCO Import Shed of the airport. The consolidated cargo was declared as personal effects but was discovered to contain some medicaments,” the statement added.

    Also, over 1, 584,000 tablets of Tramadol were recovered on Tuesday 15th March by NDLEA operatives in collaboration with Aviation Security (AVSEC) and Customs service personnel at the airport.

    “The seizure includes 17 cartons of 250mg Tramadol branded as “Tamra” weighing 669.70kg and five cartons of 225mg Tramadol under the brand name “Royal” with a gross weight of 217.15kg.

    “The psychotropic substance, which was imported into the country from Pakistan was smuggled through the airport tarmac using one of the vehicles of the Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) and was intercepted at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Personnel Yard.

    “Two suspects: Ofijeh John Mova, a SAHCO driver, and Nyam Gazu Alex who is a security guard with the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) have so far been arrested in connection with the seizure,” the statement added.

    Also, on Monday, March 14, a total of 2,160 tablets of Co-codamol weighing 1.95kg and 240 tablets of Tramadol were also intercepted in a consolidated cargo from the UK at the SAHCO import shed of the airport. Follow-up operations led to the arrest of the importer of the consignment, Omonijo Temidayo the following day Tuesday 15th March.

    Similarly, one Hajiya Mariam Saliu in Edo state was arrested on Monday, March 14 after investigations uncovered her as the brain behind the attempt to export 1.55kg cannabis to Dubai through the Lagos airport on 5th March.

    Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives have arrested one of the kingpins behind the attempt to smuggle 11.93 kilograms of Cocaine to Accra, Ghana through the Seme land border, Lagos. The 50-year-old suspect, Oyewunmi Ademola Ahmed was arrested on Tuesday 15th March at Mile 2 area of Lagos after a series of follow-up operations following the arrest of a driver, Osagie Anthony with the 11.913kg cocaine at Gbaji, Seme-Badagry expressway on January 23.

    In Kwara, a drug dealer, Hope John, 30, was arrested on Saturday 19th March at Goodness area of Offa with different quantities of cannabis, methamphetamine, designer drug, and cocaine.

  • NDLEA Recovers 294,440 Tramadol Tablets, Seizes 38,862 Cartridges In Raids

    NDLEA Recovers 294,440 Tramadol Tablets, Seizes 38,862 Cartridges In Raids

    Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), have intercepted no fewer than 294,440 tablets of Tramadol and other illicit drugs in major operations in Delta, Bauchi, and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, while a total of 41 suspects were arrested in raids in Abuja and Kaduna State.

    This was disclosed in a statement by the NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, on Sunday.

    According to the agency, in Delta State, one Christian Onah, was arrested at Isele- Azagba junction with 23,160 tablets of Swinol and 66,000 tablets of Rohypnol, both weighing 71.6kg while conveying the drugs from Benin, Edo to Onitsha, Anambra state.

    In another arrest, a commercial vehicle from Onitsha going to Ibadan, Oyo state was intercepted at Abraka junction, Asaba on Wednesday, March 2 with 78,000 capsules of Tramadol; 5,000 tablets of Diazepam and 97,500 tablets of Exol-5, while a suspect, Olaniyan Sunday, was arrested.

    One female suspect, Patricia Saduwa, was arrested with 233.7kg of cannabis during a raid in Orogun community close to Abbi town in Kwale LGA, Delta State on Friday, March 4, while 123.7kg of cannabis was also seized in another raid in the community on the same day.

    The owner is said to be at large.

    In Bauchi, operatives acting on credible intelligence raided a warehouse at Gadar- Maiwa, Ningi Local Government Area, where 542.5kg of cannabis; 6,800 tablets of Diazepam and 12,400 tablets of Exol-5 were recovered on Wednesday, March 2.

    At least 30 suspects were arrested at the Malali area of Kaduna State during raids aimed at destroying drug joints across the state.

    A suspect, Usman Dahiru was arrested with 24kg of cannabis concealed in two sacks of used clothes on Thursday, March 3, along the Abuja-Kaduna expressway, where another suspect, Abdulrazaq Rabi’u was also arrested with 100,000 counterfeit US dollars.

    On the same day, operatives in Anambra State recovered 38,862 red star cartridges along with 13 cartons of illicit drugs when they raided a warehouse in Onitsha.

    In Abuja, 11 suspects were arrested and 81.2kg of drugs were seized in a major raid operation on Saturday, March 5 in ‘black spots’ like Torabora, Karu Abattoir, Jabi motor park and forest.

    At the Lagos airport, one Audu Muhammed was arrested at the SAHCO export shed on Saturday, March 5, with 1.550kg cannabis concealed in golden morn cereal packs meant for Dubai, UAE.

    Days earlier, a suspect, Olalekan Wasiu Ayinde was also arrested at the export shed with 4,980 capsules of Tramadol; 600 capsules of Rohypnol and some designer drugs concealed inside locust beans and hidden among food items for export to South Africa.

    Meanwhile, Nwoku Princewill Uche, a principal suspect in the importation of 451,807 Captagon tablets weighing 79.119kg at Apapa Seaport Lagos, has been taken into custody after six months on the run.

    Known as ‘Jihadist drug’, the consignment was the first-ever recorded seizure of Captagon in the West and Central African Sub-Region. In his statements, Uche claimed to have met the person who gave him the job on LinkedIn while he was paid N5m to clear the container.

    He then used a third-party bank account to process the Form M for the clearing of the illicit consignments.

    While commending officers and men of the Delta, Bauchi, Kaduna, Anambra, FCT, Apapa port and MMIA Commands of the agency for the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) charged them to remain vigilant and on the offensive until all drug cartels in Nigeria are completely dismantled.

  • NDLEA intercepts 1.5m capsules of Tramadol in Anambra

    NDLEA intercepts 1.5m capsules of Tramadol in Anambra

    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.”

  • Customs intercepts Tramadol valued at N1.4bn hidden in Diapers

    Customs intercepts Tramadol valued at N1.4bn hidden in Diapers

    Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Command has said that it has intercepted some items suspected to be tramadol capsules concealed with packaged jumbo size adult diapers in a container.

    The items which have a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1.4 billion, were concealed in a container with the number MRKU 9090415.

    Hussain Abdulahi, Customs Public Relations Officer said the Area Controller, Bello Jibo revealed that the container was handed over to the Command on November 15 by the Republic of Benin Authorities under transit to Nigeria.

    Customs intercepts tramadol valued at N1.4bn hidden in diapers

    The container came under the watch of officers of the Command as no importer or his representative have come forward to continue the process of clearance procedure.

    The statement read;

    “On the Dec. 20, Seme Customs Service invited other security agencies and stakeholders to witness the examination of the said container.

    “The items discovered during 100 per cent examination are 200 packages of adult diapers, 100 cartoons of Gabadol 120mg suspected to be tramadol equivalent to 360kg.

    “The diapers were smartly arranged at the front of the container while the drugs were was the back.

    “I directed that samples be taken out officially and handed over to National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to ascertain and confirm the drugs.”

    Abdullahi also said the command has commenced a full-scale investigation to fish out those involved in the illicit importation.

  • NDLEA Arrests Anambra Drug Kingpin, Recovers 548,000 Tramadol Tablets

    NDLEA Arrests Anambra Drug Kingpin, Recovers 548,000 Tramadol Tablets

    Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a major illicit drug kingpin in Anambra, Okeke Chijioke, 44, and 548,000 tablets of tramadol branded as Tarkadol recovered from his warehouse at 3 Atunya street, Maryland estate, Nkwelle, Oyi local government area of the state.

    Okeke’s arrest on Saturday 10 July 2021 followed credible intelligence and surveillance, which confirmed he stocked his warehouse with the illicit drug.

    Spokesman of the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, said on Sunday in Abuja that after the search of his warehouse, 548,000 tablets of Tarkadol weighing 302.500kgs were recovered.

    According to him, the suspect accepted ownership of the substance recovered.

    “Preliminary investigation has established that Tarkadol is a brand of Tramadol that has just been introduced into the market to evade attention. The substance has also tested positive to amphetamine.

    “The drug was equally labeled 100mg pain reliever on its packs to avoid scrutiny, while laboratory tests confirmed it’s a 225mg drug. It was further discovered that the drug was manufactured in India and smuggled into Nigeria without NAFDAC number or certification.

    “During the search on the warehouse, a double barrel pump gun with 3 live cartridges, which licence expired since 2019, was also discovered and recovered,” Babafemi said.

    Also, operatives of the Benue State command of the Agency on road patrol in Apir village on 14 July intercepted and seized 28,400 capsules of tramadol from one Dankawu Madaki, who hails from Misah LG, Bauchi State.

    In a related development, a notorious interstate drug dealer, Godiya Linus, based in Taraba State but supplies narcotics to dealers in Adamawa State has been arrested in Numan area of the state. Godiya, an ex-convict, was in jail between 2012 and 2018 following his conviction on drug related charges.

    A drug dealer, Mohammed Ali had earlier been arrested on 10 July with 1.150kg of diazepam in Numan.

    A follow up operation led to the arrest of Godiya who supplied Ali, while investigation has since revealed that he is based in Mayolope village in Lau local government area of Taraba, from where he supplies Jambutu park in Yola and other parts of Numan, using an unregistered boxer motorcycle for distribution.

    Few days after Godiya’s arrest, another dealer, Emmanuel Ishiwu, was nabbed with different quantities of tramadol, exol-5 and diazepam, totalling 6.103kg also in Numan on 14 July, followed by the arrest of Muhammadu Garba and Shaibu Haruna with 48.500kg of cannabis in Gurin area of the state on Friday, 16 July 2021.

    Commending the officers and men of the Anambra, Benue and Adamawa state commands for sustaining the offensive action in the ongoing efforts to mop up illicit drugs from every community in all parts of Nigeria, Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brig-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) charged them to remain unrelenting in the discharge of their duties.