The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has
arrested a Malian and four Nigerians in connection with illegal sales of four
thousand, five hundred and eighty kilogrammes (4,580kgs) of psychotropic drugs
in Kano. The seized drugs comprising 2,592kgs of codeine cough syrups and
1,988kgs of tramadol were recovered from five secret warehouses located within
the metropolis by officers of the Kano State command. This arrest is part of
efforts to reduce the sales and demand for psychotropic substances in the
State.
Kano State commander of the NDLEA, Mr Hamza Umar gave the
names of the suspects as Ikechukwu Ukwuoma, 34 years old arrested with 2,010kgs
of codeine cough syrups; Nura Ibrahim, 30 years old caught with 886kgs of
tramadol and Zakari Muhammadi, a Malian found with 850kgs of tramadol. Others
are Earnest Asogwa, 34 years caught with 582kgs of codeine syrup and Ikenna
Osuizugba, 34 years old found in possession of 252kgs of tramadol. 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. It is common to see iced bottles of codeine cough syrup instead of
beverage drinks in a gathering of young people" Hamza stated.
Ikechukwu Ukwuoma, a secondary school certificate
holder who is married with 3 children is one of the major distributors of
codeine cough syrups in the State. Ikechukwu who hails from Orlu Local
Government Area in Imo State said that he was in the business to make money. In
his words, "I began selling codeine cough syrup because of the high profit
involved. The drug sells fast and I was only interested in the profit. A bottle
of codeine in Kano is twice the cost price in the east. I did not know how the
officers discovered my warehouse where the drugs were kept. I regret my
action".
Nura Ibrahim who hails from Nasarawa Local Government Area
of Kano State also attributed his involvement to quick turnover in the
business. He was found in possession of 886kg of tramadol. Zakari Muhammadi, a
Malian married to two wives with four children. Zakari blamed his friends for
his involvement in drugs. He was arrested with 850kg of tramadol kept in his
rented shop. Ernest Asogwa caught with 582kgs of codeine syrup and Ikenna
Osuizugba found with 252kgs of tramadol told officials that they decided to
sell the drugs because of the profit involved.
Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Col. Muhammad
Mustapha Abdallah (retd.) said that the Agency is working hard to intensify its
sensitization programmes in the State. "The NDLEA is working assiduously
to boost the sensitization efforts of the State command. 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. The
Agency will continue to do its best in protecting the health and future of our
youths" Abdallah stated.
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