NDLEA, India’s NCB Strengthen Partnership to Tackle Illicit Tramadol and Codeine Shipments to Nigeria
In a renewed effort to curb the growing influx of illicit opioids, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) of Nigeria and India’s Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) have pledged to deepen collaboration in combating illegal drug shipments particularly tramadol and codeine-based syrups trafficked from India to Nigeria.
This commitment was reaffirmed during a high-level virtual meeting on Wednesday, August 7, 2025, between NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), and NCB Director General, Anurag Garg, alongside senior officials from both agencies.
In his opening remarks, Marwa highlighted the urgent threat illicit opioids pose to public health and national security, stating that over one billion pills of tramadol and 14.4 million bottles of codeine syrup had been intercepted by the NDLEA between January 2024 and June 2025.
“This is the primary reason I initiated this meeting,” Marwa said.
“The illicit importation of tramadol and codeine syrup from India into Nigeria has reached alarming levels. While we’ve made major seizures, it’s clear we cannot fight this battle alone.”
Marwa called for intensified intelligence sharing and joint operations between the two agencies, citing the 2023 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by both countries as a solid foundation for deeper cooperation.
Beyond joint enforcement, Marwa also appealed for expanded training opportunities for NDLEA officers across critical areas such as:
Drug investigation and interdiction
Financial crimes and forensic analysis
Cybercrime and darknet drug monitoring
Intelligence gathering on clandestine labs and precursors
“India has supported us in the past with valuable training. We hope to build on that experience to enhance our operational capacity,” he added.
In response, NCB chief Anurag Garg emphasized the need for cross-border cooperation, noting that transnational drug syndicates respect no borders and can only be defeated through united global action.
“We understand the severity of the situation in Nigeria. These criminal networks operate internationally, and the only effective response is collaborative enforcement,” Garg said.
“This meeting is a great step forward. We’re ready to intensify intelligence sharing and support your efforts.”
He also welcomed NDLEA’s request for specialized training, offering to tailor customized training programs at India’s anti-narcotics training centers for NDLEA personnel.
“Whether it’s monitoring the darknet, dismantling clandestine labs, or tracing chemical precursors, we’re happy to share our expertise and tools,” Garg assured.
The virtual meeting ended with both sides reaffirming their commitment to expanding the scope of their cooperation and taking immediate steps to implement joint strategies to combat the opioid threat.
NDLEA and NCB will continue to work closely through intelligence exchange, training, and joint operations marking a united front in the global war on drug trafficking and abuse.
