The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has discovered plans by some individuals to introduce the illegal drug Fentanyl into the Nigerian market.
The agency made this known in a statement on Tuesday by its Director,\sof Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi.
The NDLEA stated that Fentanyl is 100 times more potent than Tramadol, and warned that the illegally manufactured drug is capable of causing mass casualties among the youth population targeted by the cartels.
The anti-narcotics agency said every step must be taken to ensure that the drug which is currently responsible for over 70% overdose deaths as well as a major contributor to fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the US is not allowed to circulate in Nigeria because of its lethality and the current drug abuse prevalence of 14.4% in the country.
NDLEA said, “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.
“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 mix 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 experimenting 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.”
The agency 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.