NDLEA arrests major illicit drug kingpin in Anambra, recovers 548,000 Tramadol tablets

The National Drug law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a major illicit drug kingpin in Anambra, Okeke Chijioke.

The agency said its operatives recovered 548,000 tablets of Tramadol branded as Tarkadol from the 44-year old’s warehouse at 3 Atunya street, Maryland Estate, Nkwelle in Oyi local government area.

During the search on the warehouse, a double barrel pump gun and three live cartridges, were also recovered.

Director, Media & Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, revealed these in a statement on Sunday.

Babafemi said Okeke’s arrest on Saturday, July 10, 2021, followed credible intelligence and surveillance, which confirmed he stocked his warehouse with the illicit drug.

The agency’s spokesman said the suspect accepted ownership of the drugs.

The statement reads, “Preliminary investigation has established that Tarkadol is a brand of Tramadol that has just been introduced into the market to evade attention. The substance has also tested positive to amphetamine.

“The drug was equally labeled 100mg pain reliever on its packs to avoid scrutiny, while laboratory tests confirmed it’s a 225mg drug. It was further discovered that the drug was manufactured in India and smuggled into Nigeria without NAFDAC number or certification. During the search on the warehouse, a double-barrel pump gun with 3 live cartridges, which licence expired in 2019, was also discovered and recovered.

“This is even as operatives of the Benue state command of the Agency on road patrol in Apir village on 14th July intercepted and seized 28,400 capsules of Tramadol from one Dankawu Madaki, who hails from Misah LG, Bauchi state.

“In a related development, a notorious interstate drug dealer, Godiya Linus, based in Taraba but supplies narcotics to dealers in Adamawa has been arrested in Numan area of the state. Godiya, an ex-convict, was in jail between 2012 and 2018 following his conviction on drug related charges.

“A drug dealer, Mohammed Ali had earlier been arrested on 10th July with 1.150kg of diazepam in Numan. A follow-up operation led to the arrest of Godiya who supplied Ali, while investigation has since revealed that he’s based in Mayolope village in Lau local government area of Taraba, from where he supplies Jambutu park in Yola and other parts of Numan, using an unregistered boxer motorcycle for distribution.

“Few days after Godiya’s arrest, another dealer, Emmanuel Ishiwu was nabbed with different quantities of Tramadol, Exol-5 and Diazepam, totalling 6.103kg also in Numan on 14th July, followed by the arrest of Muhammadu Garba and Shaibu Haruna with 48.500kg of cannabis in Gurin area of the state on Friday, 16th July 2021.

“Commending the officers and men of the Anambra, Benue and Adamawa state Commands for sustaining the offensive action in the ongoing efforts to mop up illicit drugs from every community in all parts of Nigeria, Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) charged them to remain unrelenting in the discharge of their duties.”