MD/CEO of Marvelrock Pharmaceuticals and Stores Limited, Mr Celestine Chibuike Orakwe, has been captured by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for engaging in sales of illicit and controlled drugs on popular e-commerce platform, Jiji.ng.
Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, confirmed this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja.
Babafemi said the suspects came under NDLEA’s radar in October 2021 when he advertised many pharmaceutical products including Tramadol, Ketamine Hydrochloride injection, and Hypnox flunitrazepam tablets on the marketplace website.
According to him, Orakwe was captured with some quantities of Tramadol and Swiphnol brand of Rohypnol on Monday, 8th August at a drink joint in Jabi area of Abuja, where he had gone to make some supplies of orders made through his online channel Jiji.ng.
He revealed further that the suspect, who is a graduate of Business Administration from the University of Abuja, registered his pharmaceutical company on 16th December 2014 with a certificate and support of a licensed pharmacist, who opted out of the deal in 2017.
“The suspect continued running the business and enrolled it on Jiji.ng platform in 2019. He however came under NDLEA’s radar in October 2021 when he advertised many pharmaceutical products such as Tramadol, Ketamine Hydrochloride injection, Hypnox flunitrazepam tablets among others on the Jiji.ng online marketplace.
“Between 26th October 2021 and 8th August 2022, the team of anti-narcotic officers assigned to investigate Orakwe’s drug business activities was able to establish the suspect was selling Tramadol 225mg and other illicit/controlled drugs through the e-commerce platform,” Babafemi said.
“As a result, the suspect was arrested with some quantities of Tramadol and Swiphnol brand of Rohypnol on Monday 8th August at a drink joint in Jabi area of Abuja where he had gone to make some supplies of orders made through his online channel on Jiji.ng,” he added.
Marwa, NDLEA Brig-Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig-Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) while reacting to the arrest of Orakwe, said the agency will get to all drug dealers who hide behind the internet to market and sell illicit drugs.
According to Babafemi, the NDLEA boss said:
“The painstaking investigation and process of arresting the businessman should send a strong message to those hiding behind the internet to engage in marketing and selling of illicit/controlled drugs that the Agency will definitely get them to face the consequences of their action.”