Kano-based patent medicine dealer
has been sentenced to a four-year prison term with an option of N450,000 fine
for stockpiling a large consignment of Tramadol Hydrochloride.
Gerald Ohuruzo, 42, was arrested
at the Sabon Gari market after his secret warehouse was discovered by officials
of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency working on a tip-off.
Mr. Ohuruzo pleaded guilty on
Monday before Judge F.O Riman, the anti-narcotics agency said in a statement
Friday.
“The recovered drugs in his
warehouse weighed 1,369 kilogrammes,” Hamza Umar, the NDLEA Kano State Commander
said in the statement. The command had earlier detected a warehouse where
Tramadol Hydrochloride weighing 6,264kg was seized. Our investigators are
working towards a safe and drug-free society,” the statement said.
Tramadol, a prescription drug for
pain relief, is one of the most abused drugs in northern Nigeria.
Mr. Ohuruzo, who hails from Imo State, said he
was involved in dealing in Tramadol due to its high demand in the city.
“This is a mistake on my part,”
said the father of four.
“Though I began to deal in
Tramadol due to the high demand, I should have resisted the temptation to sell
such drugs. I have never been arrested and I feel very bad.”
Roli Bode-George, NDLEA’s Acting
Chairman, said the large seizures of narcotic drugs in Kano was worrisome and
the agency would begin enlightenment campaign programmes soon.
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