Tramadol on the rise

Nigerian cops seized intercepted 2,684,900 pills of tramadol and exol-5 as well as 1800ml of codeine concealed in the reserve fuel tank of a trailer. Drug kingpin Hussaini Ibrahim 'Bafu', was arrested. The UN says the trade and growing abuse of tramadol, a synthetic opioid, are destabilizing parts of Africa. The nonmedical use of tramadol has become a major health crisis in some areas. Tramadol produces effects similar to morphine and oxycodone. It gives users a sense of detachment from reality and makes them delusional. Less stigmatized than other opioids, tramadol as a prescription medication can be accessed and transported easily. The drug is finding its way into Europe. “This is serious,” a Danish addiction treatment specialist at a youth addiction centre in the town of Greve, southwest of Copenhagen. Six of the 20 teens enrolled in the facility were there because of their addiction to tramadol.

In October 2022 drug baron and Chairman of Automation Motors Ugochukwu Chukwukadibia was busted. One of his six mansions was raided, leading to 443 cartons of Tramadol Hydrochloride 225mg, which contained 13,451,466 pills.

Street prices are low, but still 5 times higher than cost, making Tramadol extremely profitable. It is favoured as a lower cost alternative to Percocet, Suboxone, and Oxycodone. Tramadol is a money generator for terror groups and is used regularly. The dosage used is often four or five times higher than recommended.