Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted more than 1.5 million pills of Tramadol concealed in two trucks that entered Nigeria through the Benin Republic border, dealing another major blow to drug trafficking syndicates operating across West Africa.

Naijapunchnews reports that the development was disclosed by the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, in a statement shared on his X account on Sunday.

According to Babafemi, the latest seizure comes barely one week after NDLEA officers in Lagos intercepted another truck carrying 558,900 pills of Tramadol 250mg hidden inside a specially constructed false-bottom compartment made with thick iron sheets.

He explained that operatives, acting on credible intelligence, tracked and intercepted two additional trucks that used the same concealment technique and route from Togo, through the Benin Republic, into Nigeria.

“In yet another deadly blow to the backbone of tramadol cartels in Nigeria, coming barely a week after NDLEA officers in Lagos intercepted a truck loaded with 558,900 pills of Tramadol 250mg buried in a false-bottom compartment constructed with thick iron sheets on the belly of the truck that came from Togo through Benin Republic into Lagos,” Babafemi said.

He added that the two newly intercepted trucks contained more than three times the quantity recovered in the previous operation.

“NDLEA operatives acting on intelligence have again intercepted two more of such trucks with the same mode of concealment coming through the same route but this time with three times the number of pills seized from the first truck, that’s over 1.5 million pills meant for delivery to the North.”

Babafemi stated that intelligence indicated the illicit consignment was destined for northern Nigeria, where it was allegedly intended for criminal elements.

“That’s massive supplies to bandits and other criminal gangs blocked midway.”

He further noted that traffickers have increasingly turned to land border routes after intensified enforcement at the nation’s seaports.

“Now that their channels through the ports have been blocked, they are again meeting their Waterloo at their escape land border routes.”

Describing the operation as a significant victory, Babafemi said the seizure would help protect Nigerian youths, improve public health and strengthen national security.

“This is no doubt a massive win for our youths being targeted, public health, security and Nigeria as a whole.”

The NDLEA has continued to intensify intelligence-led operations across the country’s land borders, airports and seaports as part of efforts to disrupt drug trafficking networks and prevent illicit substances from reaching criminal groups and local communities.