The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it intercepted 748.02kg of controlled pharmaceutical drugs, including large consignments of tramadol, along the Benin-Lagos Expressway.

The state commander of NDLEA in Edo, Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed this in Benin City on Monday during a press briefing on the agency’s latest operational breakthrough against interstate drug trafficking.

Mr Ofoyeju said the operation followed the directives of the NDLEA chairman and chief executive officer, Mohammed Buba Marwa, to intensify proactive measures against illicit drug trafficking nationwide.

He explained that on April 23, operatives of the command intercepted a Mercedes-Benz truck bearing the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) insignia and registration number FCT NLC 146 FC.

According to him, the truck was conveying 95 cartons, containing 1,196,000 capsules and tablets of psychotropic substances, from Lagos to Onitsha, Anambra.

He said two suspected members of the drug cartel were arrested in connection with the seizure.

“The intercepted truck was found to be transporting an alarming total of 748.02 kilogrammes of controlled substances,” he said.

He listed the seizure to include 23 cartons of Tramadol 100 mg containing 440,000 capsules weighing 264 kg; 40 cartons of Tramadol 50 mg containing 600,000 capsules weighing 180 kg; and seven cartons of Rohypnol containing 84,000 tablets weighing 25.2 kg.

Others, he said, included 19 cartons of Diazepam injection containing 76,000 ampoules, weighing 242.82 kg, and six cartons of Bromazepam containing 72,000 tablets, weighing 36 kg.

Mr Ofoyeju said the truck was intercepted during a routine motorised patrol and described the development as a major success in the agency’s sustained efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks threatening public health and safety.

He expressed concern over the increasing trafficking of dangerous pharmaceutical substances, particularly opioids such as tramadol, warning of their devastating effects on youths and communities.

“The trafficking of high volumes of controlled drugs, particularly potent opioids like tramadol, poses a dire threat to our youth and society at large.

“These substances are linked to addiction, health emergencies, and even fatalities.

“The NDLEA remains vigilant in our mission to eradicate drug abuse, and traffickers must understand that the long arm of the law will catch up with them,” he said.

The commander said the suspects were currently in custody and would be charged in court upon conclusion of investigations.

He also urged members of the public to report suspicious activities related to drug trafficking and abuse.

He assured that the agency would continue to collaborate with community leaders, families and other stakeholders in the fight against illicit drugs. 

(NAN)