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
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