NAFDAC Seizes Narcotic Drugs Worth Over N30 Million in Abuja, Arrests Five

Pharmaceutical shop in Wuse 2 and its Lokogoma branch targeted in joint operation with armed police personnel.

In a decisive move, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) enforcement team, in collaboration with heavily armed Nigeria Police officers, executed a strategic operation in Wuse 2, FCT, resulting in the confiscation of Schedule 1 Narcotic drugs and unregistered pharmaceuticals valued at over N30 million. Simultaneously, the team also targeted another outlet owned by the same individual situated in the Lokogoma District.

The enforcement action, spearheaded by Pharm Andrew Tamanuwa, Deputy Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Northern Zone, led to the arrest of two employees from the Wuse 2 pharmaceutical shop. Schedule 1 drugs, including substances like Morphine, Codeine, and Meperidine, fall under controlled substances with a high potential for abuse.

The targeted operation stemmed from credible intelligence received by NAFDAC, exposing the illicit sale of Schedule 1 Narcotics in the pharmaceutical shop. Pharm Tamanuwa emphasized the exclusive role of the Federal Government in importing Schedule 1 Narcotics, such as Morphine and Codeine, with other health institutions directed to procure these substances from Federal Medical Schools under the Federal Ministry of Health for patient use.

In a parallel operation, the enforcement team extended its reach to Dei-Dei Market, a prominent market in the FCT suburbs. Three drug hawkers were apprehended during the raid, and a diverse range of unregistered drugs and herbal products, posing potential harm to citizens, were confiscated.

The coordinated efforts between NAFDAC and the Nigeria Police underscore a commitment to curbing the illegal circulation of narcotics and unregistered pharmaceuticals in the nation’s capital. The arrests and seizures serve as a stern warning to those engaging in the illicit trade of controlled substances, reinforcing the mandate of regulatory bodies to protect public health and safety.