Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have uncovered 43,980 capsules of tramadol concealed inside two large vehicle fuel tanks in what the agency described as a sophisticated drug trafficking operation.
The seizure was disclosed on Sunday by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, in a statement shared on his official X account.
According to Babafemi, the suspect allegedly travelled to Onitsha in Anambra State to purchase the fuel tanks solely for the purpose of concealing and transporting illicit drugs rather than for use in a vehicle or commercial sale.
He explained that the suspect successfully moved the concealed consignment through multiple security checkpoints from Anambra before he was intercepted by NDLEA operatives in the Wukari area of Taraba State.
Babafemi said the officers uncovered the hidden compartments during a search, bringing the trafficking operation to an abrupt end.
“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,” he said.
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“With 43,980 capsules of tramadol neatly stuffed in the fuel tanks, he was able to beat security checks all the way from Anambra up to Wukari area of Taraba State where he was eventually arrested by NDLEA officers who uncovered his lid.”
The NDLEA spokesman added that a video released by the agency captured the moment officers dismantled the fuel tanks and recovered the concealed tramadol capsules.
The agency reiterated its commitment to intensifying efforts against drug trafficking networks across the country and warned traffickers that increasingly sophisticated concealment methods would not deter its operatives from intercepting illicit drugs.