The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, says ongoing investigation of a billionaire drug baron, Afam Mallinson Ukatu, has led to the discovery of how the suspect imported two containers containing 1,284 cartons of Tramadol with market value of over N22billion within into Nigeria in the space of one month in October 2019.
A statement by the Agency’s spokesman Femi Babafemi on Tuesday was released to counter insinuations that the NDLEA has no evidence to pin a crime on Ukatu, who is the Chairman/CEO of Mallinson Group of companies.
After months of surveillance, Ukatu was eventually arrested on board a flight to Abuja at the MM2 terminal of the Lagos airport, on Wednesday 13th April.
Babafemi said Investigations revealed he has 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 allegedly used as a cover to import illicit drugs into Nigeria.
The Agency said 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.
Babafemi further explained that, in one instance, Ukatu through his Mallinson Group of companies imported two container loads of five different brands of Tramadol in October 2019 through the Apapa ports in Lagos.
The NDLEA says the suspect will have his day in court when the investigation is concluded.
Editor Oloyede Oworu
