The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA), has revealed the bursting of a syndicate illegally importing and trafficking lethal synthetic opioid, Fentanyl, in Nigeria. It was revealed that the drug is 100 times stronger than Tramadol and capable of causing mass casualty among the youth population being targeted by the cartels.
Operatives of the NDLEA, in well-coordinated and clinical operations, arrested two members of the syndicate, which the agency identified as Odoh Collins Oguejiofor and Oliver Chigozie Uzoma at Ogbogwu Market, Onitsha Head Bridge, Onitsha South Local Government Area, Anambra State. According to the NDLEA, the operation was carried out following an alert by the anti- narcotics Agency on Tuesday that some criminal elements were plotting to flood the Nigerian market with the illicit drug, which is said to be responsible for over 70% overdose deaths as well as a major contributor to fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the United States.
The CDC in the US was said to have exposed that Fentanyl is 80 times as potent as morphine and 100 times more potent than heroin.
According to a statement by the Agency, “following credible intelligence and synergy with local and international partners, the NDLEA was able to mobilise necessary assets to trace the illicitly manufactured drug to the Ogbogwu Market, Onitsha Head Bridge, reputed to be the largest drug market in West Africa, after months of undercover monitoring.
“Convinced that the Agency has gathered sufficient evidence to nail the suspects, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) ordered a deployment of operatives to pick members of the syndicate one after the other.
“Odoh Collins Oguejiofor was the first to be arrested while on a business mission with packets of 100 micrograms of Fentanyl, while the arrest of Uzoma who is a major dealer in other illicitly manufactured pharmaceutical opioids including Fentanyl, followed.”
The Agency disclosed that while packs of liquid Fentanyl were recovered from Odoh, different quantities of banned and controlled drugs, including Fentanyl were seized from Uzoma. They include: Ampules of Fentanyl Injection; Ozempic solution for injection in pre-filled pens; Ampules of Sustanon 250mg/ml; Ampules of Rivavirin injection 200mg/2ml; Ampules of Erythropoietin injection; Ampules of Recombinant Anti Rho-D Immunoglobulin injection 300MG; Ampules of Pethidine 100mg/2ml solution for injection and Zoladex 3.6mg Goserelin.