NDLEA Seizes ₦18 Billion Worth of Tramadol and Codeine in Major Drug Bust
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said it intercepted a massive shipment of illegal drugs, including 31.1 million tramadol pills and over 1.2 million bottles of codeine-based syrup, with a combined street value of nearly ₦18 billion.
The seizures occurred at the Port Harcourt Port Complex in Rivers State and Tincan Seaport in Lagos, following intelligence reports on shipments from India.
According to a statement released by Femi Babafemi, Director of Media & Advocacy for NDLEA, the busts were the result of joint operations with the Nigerian Customs Service and other security agencies.
“The agency’s vigilance and collaboration with other stakeholders at the ports were key to the success of these operations,” Babafemi noted.
At Tincan Port in Lagos, 350,000 bottles of codeine syrup were recovered from two containers on August 29 and 30, each containing 175,000 bottles of the opioid. Meanwhile, at the Port Harcourt Port Complex, 29.8 million tramadol pills and 380,000 bottles of codeine syrup were seized from three containers.
In a separate operation, NDLEA operatives at the Port Harcourt International Airport arrested a suspect, Eze Emekan Don, attempting to smuggle 1,490 tramadol pills concealed as cosmetics to Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.
Also Read: How We Seized ₦198 Billion Worth Of Cocaine In Lagos – By NDLEA
In addition, a former beauty queen, Ms. Aderinoye Queen Christmas, who had been on the run since January, surrendered to the NDLEA in Lagos. She was wanted for dealing in illicit substances after 606 grams of Canadian Loud and other drug-related items were found in her Lekki residence.
NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) praised the officers involved, emphasizing their “vigilance and professionalism” in tackling drug trafficking and reducing the availability of illegal substances across the country.
