The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has foiled an attempt by a drug cartel to smuggle over two million, four hundred and sixty-five thousand tablets of pharmaceutical opioids into the country.

The NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, said on Sunday in Abuja that the drug weighing 2,3356kg, has an estimated street value of N1.04 billion.

He said the drugs were intercepted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, on October 7.

He said the seizure came barely a week after NDLEA operatives recovered over N8.8 billion worth of opioids.

According to him, the consignment of 52 cartons came to Nigeria from Karachi, Pakistan.

“This is with six different airway bills via Ethiopian Airline flight, comprising seven cartons of 250mg of a brand called tamral and 45 cartons of 225mg, branded as tramaking.

“Soon after its arrival at the Lagos airport, the NDLEA called for a joint examination of the consignment with other stakeholders and its information was confirmed by all.

“Then, the 52 cartons of the seized substance, which are above the recommended threshold for medical use and banned in the country, were moved to the agency’s facility,” he said. 

(NAN)