The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on Friday disclosed that it had arrested a truck with 2.49 million tablets and capsules of tramadol on the Gombe-Bauchi Expressway, estimated to be worth over ₦2 billion.
The Gombe State Commander of the NDLEA, Okechukwu Nkere, while disclosing the sized products, noted that the trucks were arrested on 13 September at about 8:30 pm, along with the driver and a passenger taken into custody.
The NDLEA noted that the operatives of the NDLEA arrested the products in the state concealed inside bags of salts, and the operation was carried out after credible intelligence.
He noted that when the operatives saw the truck, it was suspected that the truck was carrying some exhibits, which led to the search. After the search was conducted, it was noted that the NDLEA recovered a total of 146 cartons containing 2.19 million capsules of tramadol and 30 cartons containing 300,000 tablets of tramadol. He disclosed that the command was still conducting investigations into the arrest.
The NDLEA noted that the driver of the truck and one other individual were arrested. He noted that the confiscated drugs were bound to be delivered to Gombe state and Borno state in the northern parts of the country. He noted that delivering the products would have caused heavy damage to the citizens, especially the youths of the states.
Nkere noted that the trucks were intercepted at the entrance of the state, the products, according to him, were kept inside salt bags, and the salt him were very visible while the drugs were hidden. The official noted that the drugs are worth over ₦2 billion. The official also noted that the trucks had no pharmaceutical licence or waybill, which are clear indications that the drugs were for illegal use.
The Gombe commander appreciated the operatives of the command and other security agencies that combined in the operation, which led to the arrest and confiscation of the products. The commander noted that when the state collaborates, more success will be recorded in the state. The commander noted that the war must be collective to be effective.
The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Abdullahi Bello, noted that the seizure of the producers was a major win against the abuse of drugs in the state and the country. The commissioner noted that the governor of the state has been working round the clock to ensure that there was a safety in area in the state. He noted the NDLEA has shown how active they have been in the fight against illicit drugs in the state. He noted that the operation has sent a loud message to the individuals involved in the movement of the products.
