The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), in a joint operation with the Nigerian Army, on Tuesday, arrested five suspects and recovered 11,297 capsules of tramadol in Benin City
The Edo State Commander of the NDLEA  Mitchell Ofoyeju, told journalists in Benin City that the capsules were recovered from a patent medicine shop and a supermarket in the city.

According to him, the operation is part of intensified efforts to curb illicit drug trafficking and abuse in the state.

He said, ”The operations, carried out in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, led to the arrest of a patent medicine vendor, a supermarket owner and three other suspects, with the seizure of large quantities of controlled substances.”

He listed the recovered exhibits to include 11,297 capsules of tramadol, 400 tablets of diazepam, 108 tablets of Swinol, 22 tablets of Danabol, also known as ‘Molly,” 3.685 kg of substance suspected to be cannabis, 181 grammes of Loud, seven grammes of methamphetamine and 10 bottles of codeine cough syrup.

Mr Ofoyeju identified the suspects as a 46-year-old patent medicine vendor, a 25-year-old supermarket owner and three others, ages 23, 25 and 39, respectively.
He stated that the collaboration was in line with the directives from the NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (retd).

Mr Ofoyeju stated, “I have been mandated by the chairman to take drug criminals out of the state. Drugs are a catalyst of crime.
“Anyone hiding under the canopy of a patent medicine shop or a supermarket to peddle tramadol, Swinol, diazepam, codeine cough syrup or cannabis will not go unpunished. This is totally unacceptable, and the law must take its full course.”

The NDLEA commander stressed that the operation sent a strong warning to drug dealers operating around sensitive installations.
He added, “These operations have sent a clear and unequivocal message to drug traffickers who believe that operating near barracks gives them protection. There is no haven.

“The synergy between the NDLEA and the Nigerian Army is formidable, and we will continue to dismantle drug networks across as directed.:
Mr Ofoyeju also warned against targeting youths with illicit drugs, describing it as “an attack on the future of the nation.

“The NDLEA has a responsibility under the law to arrest criminal elements destroying our society through illicit drug trafficking in order to create a safer and healthier environment for all citizens.”
He urged members of the public to provide credible information to the agency, assuring them that all information would be treated with strict confidentiality.