An investigation by BBC Eye has uncovered that Aveo Pharmaceuticals, an Indian company, is illegally exporting highly addictive and unlicensed opioids to West Africa, fueling a public health crisis in Ghana, Nigeria, and Côte d’Ivoire. The drugs, which combine tapentadol (a potent opioid) and carisoprodol (a banned muscle relaxant), are not approved for use anywhere in the world due to their dangerous effects, including breathing difficulties, seizures, and potential overdoses.
Undercover footage shows Aveo’s director, Vinod Sharma, openly discussing how the pills get users “high” and admitting their harmful health effects. Despite this, the company continues shipping millions of these pills under various brand names like Tafrodol, TimaKing, and Super Royal-225.
In Ghana’s Tamale, the growing addiction crisis has led to community-led raids to remove the drugs from the streets. Meanwhile, authorities in Nigeria, the largest market for these opioids, warn of their devastating impact on youth.
With public health at stake, calls are growing for stricter regulations and crackdowns on illicit drug exports from India to Africa. However, as officials struggle to contain the crisis, Aveo and other pharmaceutical firms continue profiting from the destruction of countless lives.
