The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has revealed that it confiscated more than two billion pills of tramadol over the past 18 months through intelligence-led operations conducted in collaboration with international partners.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), disclosed this on Thursday during a familiarisation visit to the Lekki Free Trade Zone and Lekki Deep Sea Port in Lagos.
Marwa attributed the massive seizures to strengthened intelligence gathering and close cooperation with foreign counterparts, particularly law enforcement agencies in India and Pakistan.
“Within the last 18 months, we have seized more than two billion pills of tramadol through coordinated operations and intelligence sharing with our international partners, especially in India and Pakistan,” he said.
He cautioned criminal networks against attempting to use Nigeria’s seaports for drug trafficking, noting that the agency had significantly upgraded its surveillance and intelligence capabilities.
According to him, the NDLEA is working in close partnership with the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, and other security agencies under existing memoranda of understanding to facilitate seamless intelligence exchange and case transfers.
Marwa called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, port operators and stakeholders within the Lekki Free Trade Zone, stressing that collective action is essential to combat drug trafficking and protect the nation’s economy.
Describing the Lekki Deep Sea Port and the Free Trade Zone as critical national assets, he said safeguarding the facilities from organised criminal groups requires sustained cooperation.
“The fight against drug abuse and trafficking
