The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has made a significant bust, confiscating 2.49 million tablets and capsules of tramadol worth over ₦2 billion on the Gombe-Bauchi Expressway. The tramadol was hidden in a truck laden with bags of salt, which was intercepted on September 13 at 8:30 pm [1).
Gombe State Commander of the NDLEA, Okechukwu Nkere, revealed that the truck was seized based on credible intelligence. Upon searching the vehicle, officers found:
- 146 cartons containing 2.19 million capsules of tramadol
- 30 cartons containing 300,000 tablets of tramadol
The driver and a passenger were arrested, and investigations are ongoing. Nkere emphasized that the tramadol was destined for Gombe and possibly Borno, but was removed from circulation due to swift action.
The NDLEA commander commended other security agencies for their collaboration, stating that the drug war requires collective effort. Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Abdullahi Bello, described the seizure as a major achievement, highlighting the governor’s efforts to keep Gombe safe.
This bust is a significant victory in the fight against illicit drugs, following other successful operations by the NDLEA, including the seizure of over ₦5 billion worth of tramadol ¹.
