The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has uncovered plans by some drug cartels to introduce fentanyl into the Nigerian market. Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid anesthesia that is similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent. The NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, who announced this on Tuesday, described the illicit drug as 100 times stronger than tramadol.
According to him, the drug, with misleading labels, can come in form of candles and eye drops.
“We are not unaware of desperate efforts by some drug cartels to introduce to the Nigerian Market, fentanyl, which according to the CDC, is 80 times as potent as morphine and 100 times more potent than heroin,” Babafemi said in a statement.
“This, they plan to do either in liquid or powder form and/or with misleading labels to target our youth population.
“This they may also mx with other prescription drugs. The illegally manufactured fentanyl in its liquid form can come in nasal sprays, eye drops, or small candies.
“As a result, parents and other stakeholders are advised to be vigilant, alert and warn their young ones against attempting to experiment with this illicit substance.
“Symptoms for fentanyl exposure and/or overdose include pinpoint pupils, falling asleep or losing consciousness, slow and shallow breathing, choking or gurgling sounds, limp body, and pale, blue, or cold skin.
Babafemi also attributed the over 70% of opioid overdose deaths in the United States to the use drug, and a major contributor to fatal and nonfatal overdoses.
He said, with a current drug abuse prevalence of 14.4%, compelling measures would be put in place to ensure that the lethal drug does not circulate in Nigeria. He also assured the public that all necessary assets had been deployed to monitor the cartels involved with a view to frustrating their criminal plot and make them face the wrath of the law.