Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted 43,980 capsules of tramadol concealed inside two large vehicle fuel tanks in what the agency described as a sophisticated drug smuggling operation.
The seizure was disclosed on Sunday by the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, in a statement shared on X.
According to Babafemi, the suspect travelled to Onitsha, Anambra State, where he purchased the fuel tanks solely to hide and transport the illicit drugs.
He said the suspect managed to move the concealed consignment through several security checkpoints before NDLEA operatives intercepted him in the Wukari area of Taraba State.
“So a merchant of death travelled to Onitsha, Anambra State to buy the two big vehicle fuel tanks not to sell or use in his vehicle but solely for the purpose of concealing illicit drugs,” Babafemi said.i
He explained that 43,980 capsules of tramadol had been carefully packed inside the tanks, allowing the suspect to evade security checks from Anambra until he was eventually arrested in Taraba.
Babafemi added that the operation was brought to an end after NDLEA officers uncovered the hidden compartments during a search.
The agency also released a video showing the moment officers opened the fuel tanks and recovered the concealed drugs.
