The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency says suspected drug baron, Mr. Afam Mallinson Ukatu, linked with detained Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, imported 1,284 cartons of Tramadol with a market value of over N22 billion.
The NDLEA disclosed this in a statement signed by its Director, Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, on Tuesday, in response to claims that there was not enough evidence to charge Ukatu.
CHECKPOINTCHARLEY had reported that the NDLEA arrested Ukatu over a N3bn Tramadol deal allegedly involving ACP Kyari and members of the Intelligence Response Team he was leader.
The agency revealed that ongoing investigation into the activities of Ukatu led to the discovery of how he imported two containers of Tramadol within a month in 2019.
The statement read partly, “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.”
CHECKPOINTCHARLEY 