NDLEA Arrests Suspect, Recovers 8,000 Bottles of Akuskura, Cannabis in Kano

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kano State Command, has foiled a major drug trafficking attempt, leading to the arrest of a 37-year-old suspect and the recovery of a large cache of illicit substances.

The NDLEA Public Relations Officer, Sadiq Maigatari, confirmed the arrest of the suspect, Ali Muhammad, in a statement on Tuesday. The interception, he explained, occurred at Gadar Tamburawa on the Zaria-Kano Road during a stop-and-search operation. The operatives flagged down a trailer conveying goods from Lagos and heading to Maiduguri.

Upon inspection, the officers discovered that the trailer, which was fully loaded with tricycles (Keke Napep), had a meticulously constructed wooden cover to create a hidden compartment. It was within this concealed space that the narcotics were found. The seized items included 8,000 bottles of Akuskura, a herbal mixture suspected to contain dangerous drugs, and 48 blocks of Cannabis sativa.

Maigatari commended the diligence and commitment of the operatives, which led to the discovery of the concealed items. He noted that the success of the operation was made possible by the continuous support of the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd). The Kano State Strategic Command Commander, ACGN AI Ahmad, also expressed his appreciation for the support that enables frontline commands to act decisively.

The NDLEA has confirmed that all exhibits and the suspect are now in their custody pending a full investigation and a comprehensive laboratory analysis to confirm the nature of the substances. The agency urged the public to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious consignments or activities to the nearest NDLEA office or other law enforcement agencies for swift action.