Abba Kyari: NDLEA Uncovers Tramadol Worth ₦22b Imported By Drug Baron

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency claims to have uncovered how Chief Afam Mallinson Ukatu, a reputed billionaire drug baron, imported 1,284 cartons of Tramadol with a market worth of almost N22 billion.

In response to assertions that there was insufficient evidence to indict Ukatu, the NDLEA issued a statement signed by its Director, Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, on Tuesday.

The NDLEA had detained Ukatu in connection with a N3 billion Tramadol deal allegedly involving the embattled suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, and his Intelligence Response Team, according to the PUNCH.

The continuous inquiry into Ukatu’s activities, according to the agency, led to the finding of how he imported two containers of Tramadol within a month as far back as 2019.

“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 evidence 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 evidence so far gathered show that the imported Tramadol brands were far above the threshold permitted to be imported into Nigeria,” the statement read in part.

The NDLEA, however, added that with all the evidence against the detained businessman, he would soon have his day in court.