NDLEA SEIZES 7.6 MILLION TRAMADOL PILLS, 76,273KG OF CANNABIS IN NATIONWIDE OPERATIONS

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted more than 7.6 million pills of tramadol and over 76,273 kilograms of various strains of cannabis, including Colorado, Loud and Skunk, in a series of intelligence-driven operations across multiple states.

The agency also arrested several suspects believed to be linked to the drug trafficking networks behind the consignments.

NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, disclosed the details in a statement on Sunday, noting that the largest seizure was recorded on December 6 when operatives raided a warehouse at Oko Market in Asaba, Delta State, recovering 3,874,000 tramadol pills (225mg and 100mg) and 252.2 litres of codeine syrup.

Similarly, on December 3, operatives intercepted a vehicle along the Onitsha–Owerri Road in Imo State and seized 1.2 million tablets of tramadol 225mg from 35-year-old Kelechi Nwakocha, who allegedly loaded the consignment in Aba, Abia State, and was transporting it to Onitsha.

In Adamawa State, NDLEA officers on December 1 intercepted a Toyota Hiace bus along the Maraba–Mubi route containing 1,577,112 tramadol and Exol-5 capsules hidden in jumbo bags mixed with sandals and slippers. Two suspects, Kabiru Buba, 25, and Hamza Abubakar, 32, were arrested. Another suspect, 27-year-old Mudansir Rabiu, was apprehended on the Zaria–Kano Road with 197,000 Exol-5 pills.

In Ekiti State, operatives destroyed 14,654kg of skunk concealed in forest locations in Omuo-Ekiti and arrested two suspects, Yusuf Iliyasu, 50, and Okumu Chinedu, 26. In a separate raid on December 2, officers stormed Asin-Ekiti forest in Ikole LGA, where they destroyed 54,300kg of skunk stored in two large warehouses and recovered an additional 28.3kg for prosecution.

A major bust also occurred on December 2 in Igoba Forest, Akure North LGA of Ondo State, where operatives recovered 2,483 compressed blocks and 247 bags of skunk weighing 5,442kg and arrested five suspects: Jacob Omodowo, 66; Joy Oluatobi Peace, 24; Babatunde Olamide, 40; Echi Fidelis Joseph, 57; and Ankrah Akano, 56.

In Edo State, operatives seized 447.5kg of skunk from two Honda Accord cars in Agho Forest, Akoko Edo LGA, arresting one suspect, Dada Adedara Babawibi, 56. Another 315.8kg was recovered from a warehouse in Isiefve community, Ohuwunde LGA, where Stanley Obasuwa was arrested.

Babafemi said the NDLEA remains committed to dismantling drug trafficking syndicates and ensuring that all suspects face prosecution.