The Kano State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has handed over 450,000 intercepted Pregabalin capsules to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for further forensic and regulatory analysis.
Pregabalin, an anticonvulsant and pain-relief medication, has become one of the most commonly abused prescription drugs in Nigeria. Initially prescribed for conditions such as epilepsy, neuropathic pain, and anxiety disorders, it has found its way onto the black market, where it is often misused for its sedative and euphoric effects.
The growing abuse of this drug has been linked to rising addiction rates, mental health issues, and social unrest, especially among young people in northern Nigeria.
The consignment of drugs was recently seized by an NDLEA patrol team on the Kano-Hadejia road. The capsules were concealed in a van and packed in 60 cartons. The Public Relations Officer for the Kano Command, Sadiq Maigatari, confirmed the interception in a statement on Thursday, stating that no legitimate documentation or ownership was presented for the consignment when it was brought to the NDLEA office for investigation.
In line with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the NDLEA and NAFDAC, signed on November 24, 2024, NDLEA Chairman/CEO Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) directed the immediate transfer of the seized drugs to NAFDAC for testing and regulatory determination.
The NDLEA Kano State Command, led by ACGN A.I. Ahmad, reiterated its commitment to coordinated operations and enhanced inter-agency cooperation in accordance with the Chairman’s directives.
Upon receiving the consignment, the NAFDAC coordinator expressed gratitude to the NDLEA for adhering to the MoU and assured that NAFDAC is ready to collaborate on further investigative and regulatory measures.
“This joint action highlights both agencies’ commitment to disrupting the illegal distribution of controlled substances and ensuring public health and safety,” Maigatari added.
The NDLEA has consistently raised alarms about the trafficking of drugs such as Pregabalin, tramadol, and codeine, warning that the diversion of these controlled medications into illegal markets poses a significant threat to public health and national security. In response, the agency has intensified surveillance along major transit routes known for drug trafficking.
In November 2024, the NDLEA and NAFDAC formalized their collaboration with the MoU, aimed at enhancing intelligence sharing, forensic testing, and regulatory enforcement to close loopholes that traffickers exploit to smuggle illicit drugs under the guise of legitimate pharmaceutical shipments.
