NDLEA Busts Opioid Shipment to Taraba, Nabs 75-Year-Old Drug Dealer in Ebonyi
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recorded a major breakthrough in its nationwide campaign against drug trafficking, intercepting large consignments of opioids concealed in a truck transporting building materials to Taraba State while also arresting a 75-year-old suspected drug dealer in Ebonyi State.
According to the agency, operatives acting on intelligence intercepted a truck conveying building materials from Onitsha, Anambra State, to Jalingo, Taraba State. A thorough search of the vehicle uncovered a huge cache of illicit substances hidden beneath the cargo. A 22-year-old suspect was arrested in connection with the shipment.
Recovered from the truck were hundreds of thousands of tramadol capsules, ampoules of pentazocine injections, thousands of rohypnol tablets, and hundreds of bottles of codeine-based cough syrup, all believed to be intended for illegal distribution.
In a separate operation in Ebonyi State, NDLEA operatives arrested a 75-year-old suspect identified as Okebe Samuel at Okposi community. The suspect was reportedly found with quantities of skunk allegedly packaged for retail distribution within the area.
The anti-narcotics agency also intensified enforcement operations across several states, leading to the arrest of suspected drug traffickers in Edo, Imo, Kano, and Gombe. Among those apprehended were female drug dealers allegedly involved in the distribution of cannabis, methamphetamine, tramadol, and other prohibited substances.
In Edo State, coordinated raids on identified drug hotspots resulted in multiple arrests and the recovery of various narcotic substances, while operations in Imo, Kano, and Gombe led to additional seizures and arrests linked to illicit drug activities.
The NDLEA said the operations form part of its sustained offensive against drug cartels and trafficking networks operating across the country. The agency reiterated its commitment to dismantling illegal drug supply chains and prosecuting offenders regardless of age, status, or gender.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers involved in the operations for their vigilance and professionalism. He urged personnel nationwide to remain committed to reducing both drug supply and drug demand through enforcement and public awareness campaigns.
The latest seizures highlight ongoing concerns over the proliferation of opioids and other dangerous substances in Nigeria, as authorities intensify efforts to curb drug abuse, trafficking, and related criminal activities across the country.
