National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested four Nigerians
and a Malian in connection with illegal sales of 4,580 kilogrammes of
psychotropic drugs in Kano State.
The seized drugs comprising 2,592kgs of codeine cough syrups and
1,988kgs of tramadol were recovered from five secret warehouses by
officers of the Kano State command.
The suspects Ikechukwu Ukwuoma was arrested with with 2,010kgs of
codeine cough syrups; Nura Ibrahim, 30, caught with 886kgs of tramadol,
and Zakari Muhammadi, a Malian, found with 850kgs of tramadol, Ernest
Asogwa, 34, caught with 582kgs of codeine syrup and Ikenna Osuizugba,
34, found in possession of 252kgs of tramado.
Mr. Ukwuoma, 34, a suspected major distributor of Codeine cough syrups
in Kano has told the anti-drug agency that he ventured into the business
because of the high profit margin. He said Codeine business in the
state sells fast and that he was only interested in the profit, the
NDLEA said in a statement Friday, August 5th.
“A bottle of codeine in Kano is twice the cost price in the east,” said
Mr. Ukwuoma, who hails from Imo State and is married with three
children. I did not know how the officers discovered my warehouse where
the drugs were kept. I regret my action”
xxThe NDLEA said the arrests and seizures were made following
intelligence report on the illicit drug activities of the suspects.
“The abuse of psychotropic drugs like codeine cough syrups and tramadol
is prevalent among young people and married women in the State,” said
Hamza Umar, NDLEA Kano State Commander. “It is common to see iced
bottles of codeine cough syrup instead of beverage drinks in a gathering
of young people.”
Ibrahim, who hails from Nasarawa Local Government Area of Kano State,
Asogwa and Osuizugba all told officials that they decided to sell the
drugs because of the profit involved.
xxxMuhammad Abdallah, Chairman of the NDLEA, said the agency has
intensified its sensitization efforts in the state with the aim of
reducing the demand and supply of the drugs.
“The NDLEA is working assiduously to boost the sensitization efforts of
the State command,” said Abdallah. “We are getting more families,
schools, community groups and the media involved in this enlightenment
programme. This is one important way of reducing the demand and supply
for both codeine cough syrup and tramadol tablet taken by youths.”
Source: PREMIUM TIMES