The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has accused Nigerian businessman, Afam Mallinson Ukatu, of importing two containers of Tramadol worth over N22billion in October 2019.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by its spokesman, Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA said the discovery was made during an ongoing investigation of the suspected drug baron.
Babafemi stated that the essence of the disclosure was to reveal that the anti-narcotic agency has evidence to accuse Ukatu of being a drug baron.
He pointed out that the suspect owns pharmaceutical and plastic manufacturing companies, which he allegedly used as a cover to import illicit drugs into Nigeria.
The statement read, “After months of surveillance, Ukatu was eventually arrested on board a flight to Abuja at the MM2 terminal of the Lagos airport, Ikeja on Wednesday, 13th April.
“Investigations reveal he’s been a major importer of large consignments of different brands and high dosages of Tramadol Hydrochloride, ranging from 120mg, 200mg, 225mg and 250mg, all of which are illicit. Ukatu owns pharmaceutical and plastic manufacturing companies, which he used as a cover to import illicit drugs into Nigeria.
“In the course of investigating the N3billion Tramadol saga between Ukatu and the Abba Kyari’s IRT team, its operatives have unearthed more evidences establishing how Ukatu has been importing large quantities of Tramadol far above the approved threshold allowed into the country.
“In one instance, Ukatu through his Mallinson Group of companies imported into the country two-container loads of five different brands of Tramadol in October 2019 through the Apapa ports in Lagos. All the pieces of evidence so far gathered show that the imported Tramadol brands were far above the threshold permitted to be imported into Nigeria.”
Naija News had reported on April 13 that the NDLEA arrested the billionaire after months of surveillance at the Muritala Muhammad Airport terminal in Ikeja, Lagos State.
The agency claimed that Ukatu was behind the N3billion Tramadol deal involving the suspended commander of the Police Intelligence and Response Team (IRT), Abba Kyari.
It said the suspect had been a major importer of large consignments of different brands and high dosages of Tramadol Hydrochloride, ranging from 120mg, 200mg, 225mg and 250mg.
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