The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in Kano has arrested a 37-year-old man found in possession of 8,000 bottles of Akuskura, a herbal mixture suspected to be laced with illicit drugs, and 48 blocks of cannabis sativa.
NDLEA’s spokesperson in the state, Sadiq Maigatari, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
He said the suspect was intercepted along Gadar Tamburawa, on the Zaria–Kano road, during a stop-and-search operation on a trailer traveling from Lagos to Maiduguri.
“The trailer was loaded with tricycles (Keke NAPEP), and the drugs were cleverly concealed between the tricycles and beneath the trailer, covered with a wooden panel. However, our operatives uncovered the hidden consignment due to their diligence and commitment,” Maigatari explained.
He confirmed that the exhibits and the suspect are now in NDLEA custody, pending further investigation and laboratory analysis to confirm the exact content of the substances.
The Commander of the NDLEA Kano Strategic Command, ACGN A.I. Ahmad, commended the support of the agency’s Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd.), saying it has strengthened frontline operations.
“The continued backing from our leadership enables us to act decisively against those attempting to flood our communities with dangerous substances,” Ahmad said.
The NDLEA also urged Nigerians to be vigilant and report suspicious movements or consignments to the nearest office or law enforcement authority.
Figures from the agency show that in the last seven months, over 1,315 suspected traffickers and peddlers have been arrested nationwide, while 1,387,254.27 kilograms of assorted drugs were seized.
Cannabis accounted for the bulk of the haul, with more than 126,000 kilograms recovered in raids and over 801,000 kilograms destroyed directly on farms.
In addition, 43 cannabis farms covering more than 320 hectares were discovered and destroyed in Edo, Ondo, Cross River, Delta, Ekiti, and Osun states.
