NDLEA hands over 450,000 seized pregabalin capsules to NAFDAC

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Kano State Command, has transferred 450,000 intercepted pills of Pregabalin capsules to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control for further forensic and regulatory examination.

Pregabalin, an anticonvulsant and pain-relief medication, has in recent years become one of the most widely abused prescription drugs in Nigeria.

Originally intended for the treatment of epilepsy, neuropathic pain, and anxiety disorders, it has found its way into the black market, where it is misused for its sedative and euphoric effects.

The drug’s increasing abuse has been linked to rising cases of addiction, mental health crises, and social unrest, particularly among young people in northern Nigeria.
The consignment was intercepted recently by an NDLEA patrol team on the Kano–Hadejia road. The drugs were concealed in a van and packed in 60 cartons.

The Public Relations officer for the Command, Sadiq Maigatari, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.

“The seized items were brought to the NDLEA office for investigation; no legitimate ownership or documentation was presented for the consignment,” he said.
Acting on the Memorandum of Understanding between NDLEA and NAFDAC signed on 24 November 2024, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), directed the immediate transfer of the drugs to NAFDAC to enable further testing and determination of regulatory status.
The NDLEA Kano State Strategic Command, under the leadership of ACGN A.I. Ahmad, reaffirmed its commitment to synchronised operations and strengthened inter-agency cooperation in line with the Chairman’s agenda.

Receiving the items, the NAFDAC coordinator expressed appreciation to the NDLEA for adhering to the MOU and assured the NDLEA command of NAFDAC’s readiness to reciprocate and collaborate on subsequent investigative and regulatory steps.

“This joint action underscores both agencies’ determination to disrupt the illicit distribution of controlled pharmaceuticals and to protect public health and safety,” Maigatari added.

PUNCH Online reports that the NDLEA has repeatedly raised the alarm over the trafficking of pregabalin, tramadol, codeine, and other controlled medicines, stressing that their diversion from medical use into illicit markets poses a grave threat to public health and national security.

In response, the agency has stepped up surveillance operations along major transit routes notorious for the movement of illicit substances.

In November 2024, NDLEA and NAFDAC signed an MoU to strengthen collaboration in intelligence sharing, forensic testing, and regulatory enforcement. The agreement was designed to close loopholes that traffickers exploit to disguise illicit shipments as legitimate pharmaceutical consignments.
The interception of 450,000 pregabalin capsules in Kano and the subsequent handover to NAFDAC reflect the practical implementation of this cooperation.
Source: Punch