The Kwara Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said it arrested three persons for allegedly dealing in prohibited substance suspected to be Cannabis sativa.
The state Commander of the agency, Mr Muhammed Ibrahim, disclosed this at a news briefing held at the agency’s office in Ilorin on Tuesday.
Ibrahim listed the suspects as Solomon Sonowo, 24, Abubakar Tijani, 33 and one Chidiebere Nwanko, 46.
He further said that the operatives of the command intercepted psychotropic drugs but did not provide their street value.
According to him, the command’s operatives intercepted 4kg cannabis, three grammes of Meths and 43 grammes of Swinol from Sonowo at Bode Sadu in Moro Local government in Kwara.
He said that the team also found 14kg of cannabis in the possession of Tijani at the same Bode Sadu axis.
The commander said that Nwanko allegedly remained one of the major distributors of narcotic drugs in the state.
He said that the command seized 1.950kg of Tramadol, 2.950kg of Diazapam and 179grammes of Pentazocine from him.
Ibrahim described Nwanko as a suspected serial drug peddler, who recently gained freedom from detention after being arrested in January 2022, for the same crime.
“He faked his name as Chidi Godwin, when he was arrested but we later discovered his real name, Nwanko Chidiebere Innocent, on his identity card.
“He sent his consignment from Lagos to Ilorin through a driver and we intercepted the vehicle and discovered dangerous drugs during a search.
“He does not have any shop as a registered patent medicine practitioner or pharmacists,” the commander said.
He said that the man was into hawking and selling of drugs in his rented apartment and vehicle and had no shop.
He warned drivers and transporters to always check luggages carried by passengers or brought as waybills to avoid being arrested as accomplices.
He said the agency would arraign the suapects at the end of its ongoing investigation.
Ibrahim warned those involved in illicit drug business in the state to come out of it, saying that the command had beefed up its operational strategy to locate their hideouts.
“We want to intensify our patrol activities to ensure we cut the channels of drug supply into the state.
“We just started and we are getting it right,” the commander said.
Speaking with newsmen, Nwanko said he was driven into the illicit drug business by hardship.
He said, “It’s hardship that pushed me into the drug business because I have to cater for my wife and children.”
He denied being an addict, saying, “I only supply drugs to my clients.
“I don’t take it except when I feel weak. I am not addicted to it.
“I have a pregnant wife at home and my two year-old daughter.
“Please tamper justice with mercy and forgive me.
“I will never go back to this business, if I am freed,” he said. (NAN)
