The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 290,450 pills of tramadol and pregabalin capsules in a series of coordinated raids across Kano, Lagos and Kaduna States, as part of its intensified campaign against illicit drug trafficking.
According to a statement issued by the agency, the bust also foiled a syndicate’s attempt to smuggle cannabis from Thailand to Lagos through courier firms. NDLEA operatives uncovered 6.3 kilograms of “loud”, a potent strain of cannabis, concealed in bedsheets and dried hibiscus flowers.
The statement said the interception was made by anti-narcotics officers working with courier companies in Lagos, following intelligence on suspicious packages.
In Kano State, a joint operation between the NDLEA and the Nigeria Customs Service along the Danbatta–Daura Road led to the arrest of 38-year-old Sa’adu Ali, from whom officers recovered 290,450 tramadol pills and pregabalin capsules.
In Lagos, NDLEA operatives arrested a notorious dealer, John Igbe, popularly known as SammyBless, at Admiralty Road, Lekki, with 550 grams of Colorado, a synthetic cannabis strain, neatly packed in disposable cups.
The agency said further raids across the city yielded significant seizures. Three suspects, Idris Lukman, Fuad Abdulsalam, and Mobolaji James, were arrested in Mushin with 109kg of skunk, 20 bottles of codeine syrup, and 2kg of nitrous oxide (popularly known as laughing gas).
At the Trade Fair Complex in Alaba, NDLEA operatives discovered a warehouse stocked with 3,700 bottles of codeine syrup and 550,000 caplets of expired 225mg diclofenac.
In Kwara State, officers intercepted 27,700 tramadol tablets (100mg and 225mg) from 25-year-old Salisu Abubakar during a stop-and-search operation at Bode Saadu, Moro Local Government Area, on September 29.
Similarly, in Kaduna, a 50-year-old woman, Blessing Ovaka, was arrested with 498.5kg of skunk at Kudandan in Chikun LGA, while another suspect, Dahiru Salisu (27), was caught with 34,180 tramadol capsules on the Kaduna–Zaria road.
The NDLEA added that on the same day, officers stormed a residence in Isheri, Obafemi Owode LGA of Ogun State, arresting Abubakar Audu with 112kg of skunk and 16 grams of tramadol concealed within the property.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling drug cartels operating across Nigeria and urged citizens to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the authorities.
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