NDLEA confiscates N2bn tramadol in Gombe

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has confiscated no fewer than 2.49 million tablets and capsules of tramadol on the Gombe-Bauchi Expressway, estimated to be worth over ₦2 billion.

Exhibiting the seized items, the Gombe State Commander of the NDLEA, Okechukwu Nkere, noted on Friday that the truck was intercepted on 13 September at about 8:30 pm, along with the driver and a passenger.

Nkere stated that his men impounded the truck, which was laden with bags of salt as a decoy, following credible intelligence.

He said, “Due to our suspicions about the contents, we conducted the search on the morning of 14 September. During the search, we recovered 146 cartons containing 2.19 million capsules of tramadol and 30 cartons containing 300,000 tablets of tramadol. The investigation is currently ongoing.

“We arrested the driver and another person accompanying the vehicle. It may interest you to note that these goods were destined for Gombe, with some likely intended for Borno, but based on credible intelligence, we removed this from circulation. Only God knows the damage this would have caused to our youths.”

Nkere added, “We found this in a truck near the ‘Welcome to Gombe’ axis. The drugs were concealed inside the truck, while the salt was visible. The value of the drugs is over ₦2 billion. The truck had no pharmaceutical licence or waybill, which are clear indications that the drugs were for illegal use.”

The Gombe commander commended other security agencies for their collaboration, stating that the drug war was a collective effort.

“This is not a one-man war, not an NDLEA war alone, but a fight for all of us.

“If this drug war were easily winnable, the Americans would have won it already, but it is a continuous battle that must be fought by everyone. We must all come together to tackle this hydra-headed monster and bring this fight to the barest minimum in Gombe State.”

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Abdullahi Bello, described the seizure as a major achievement, adding, “The governor has been working with security agencies to keep Gombe safe. The efforts have been ongoing, and I think the NDLEA commander has shown us what has been accomplished. All of us here are witnesses, and we have seen it. This sends a message to those involved in this illegal trade that NDLEA officers are working and will not hesitate to perform their duties.”