NDLEA Arrests 75-Year-Old Man In Ebonyi, Intercepts Opioids Consignments In Taraba
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its nationwide crackdown on drug trafficking networks, intercepting large consignments of opioids concealed in building materials in Taraba State and arresting a 75-year-old suspected drug dealer in Ebonyi State.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by NDLEA's Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, a significant breakthrough was recorded in Taraba State following an intelligence-led operation that uncovered a large cache of narcotic substances hidden inside a truck transporting building materials.
Babafemi said the truck, which was travelling from Onitsha in Anambra State to Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, was intercepted by NDLEA operatives at the Nukkai Timber Shade area of Jalingo on Saturday, June 6.
He explained that a detailed search of the vehicle led to the discovery of substantial quantities of illicit drugs concealed beneath the cargo.
"A major blow was dealt to opioid trafficking networks in Taraba State following credible intelligence which led to the interception of a truck conveying building materials from Onitsha, Anambra State, to Jalingo," the statement read.
The agency said a 22-year-old suspect, Buhari Abdullahi, was arrested in connection with the consignment.
Items recovered from the vehicle included 320,840 capsules of tramadol, 600 ampoules of pentazocine injection, 4,500 tablets of rohypnol and 299 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup.
In a separate operation in Ebonyi State, NDLEA operatives arrested a 75-year-old man identified as Okebe Samuel at Okposi community for allegedly dealing in cannabis.
The agency said the elderly suspect was found with 300 grams of skunk, a strain of cannabis, which he allegedly packaged and sold in retail sachets to young people within the community.
"Demonstrating that age is no barrier to the enforcement of the law, NDLEA operatives in Ebonyi State tracked down and arrested a 75-year-old grandpa, Okebe Samuel, at Okposi," Babafemi stated.
He added that the suspect was allegedly involved in the retail distribution of the illicit substance to youths in the area.
The latest arrests and seizures underscore the agency's continued efforts to disrupt drug trafficking networks and curb the circulation of narcotic substances across the country.