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Our investigation, with Indian publishing partner Newslaundry, found that more than 50% of the painkillers were high-strength (200mg+), doses not even approved for use in India.

Eight in 10 tapentadol pills sent between 2023 and 2025 listed Sierra Leone and Ghana as their destinations.

Sierra Leone's president declared a national emergency over drug abuse in 2024 and branded kush – a toxic blend of psychoactive substances including cannabis and synthetic opioids – a "death trap".

Ghana’s Food and Drugs Authority said last year that the abuse of pharmaceutical opioids such as tapentadol — commonly known on the street as “Red” — was on the rise.

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17/4/26, 1:29 pm12 reposts64 likes

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