NDLEA praises Police, NAFDAC for support, uncovers tramadol-laden 40ft container

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has commended the Police and the National Agency for Food And Drug Administration (NAFDAC) and other security agencies for their support in its bid to rid the society of illicit drugs.

NDLEA Chairman, Col. Muhammad Abdallah retired gave the commendation according to a statement by the agency’s Head of Public Affairs, Mr Jonah Achema on Wednesday in Abuja.

Abdallah declared that NDLEA uncovered another 40ft container loaded with tramadol and other banned drugs at the Brawal terminal in Lagos.

The seizure followed a recent one made by the police of a 40ft container loaded with cartons of brushes, cartons of tramadol and other banned drugs.

The container was intercepted offshore and taken to a bonded terminal in Apapa.

According to Abdallah, NDLEA’s investigation further revealed another 40 foot container, adding that this joint examination containing 255 cartons of different types of tramadol and other banned medicines.

“The NDLEA investigation further revealed that the tramadol was manufactured in Pakistan, which is a new discovery to the agency because previous tramadol seized were manufactured in India.

“I must say that this is of global interest. Drug trafficking is one of the vices fuelling insecurity across the country,” he said.

Abdallah observed that the investigation was a major breakthrough for the agency for revealing the new route for movement of tramadol into Nigeria which was from Pakistan via Europe (Hamburg) to Nigeria.

“And knowing that these tramadol were concealed behind boxes of brushes, it has called for more concern,” he said.

Abdallah said that the NDLEA would do everything within its powers to get to the root of the drug trade and enjoined other security agencies to collaborate with the agency in its ongoing investigation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Police detectives in Apapa Area Command of Lagos State had intercepted a 40-foot container laden with drugs suspected to be tramadol and codeine on Aug. 6.