THISDAY

Police Intercept 4,000 Packs of Tramadol Drugs

- Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

Police authoritie­s said yesterday that it intercepte­d 4,000 packs of tramadol worth N54 million in Bauchi State.

It also paraded 71 crime suspects, nine AK 47 rifles and other assorted weapons.

The controlled pain killer drugs were being couried to Potiskum in Yobe State by suspects, who were arrested by operatives during mop-up operations.

Parading the suspects in Abuja, Force Public Relations Officer and Deputy Commission­er of Police (DCP), Frank Mba, said the nationwide operation that led to the arrests of the suspects were aimed at ensuring a crimefree Christmas and New Year celebratio­ns.

He said the drug was estimated at N54 million.

Operatives also arrested “one chance syndicate, two-man gang of burglars, as well as suspected automated teller machine (ATM) cards’ thieves, in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

“In order to ensure that citizens are able to travel on highways freely, and to have a violence-free yuletide, our operatives have been working round the clock”.

He said Police nabbed 71 suspects, recovered nine Ak 47 rifles, three other assorted weapons, vehicles, over 18 handsets of assorted make, were recovered.

“Over four thousand packs of tramadol tablets and other incriminat­ing items were also recovered during mop-up operations”, he said.

Mba said “a one-chance syndicate that specialise­s in attacking women is one of the syndicates taken out. Another gang that has been carrying out burglary activities in Abuja, especially Gwarimpa, has been taken out.

“Another two-man gang that specialise­s in troubling people at ATM points, is also among the criminals taken out. We believe with the clearance of these criminal gangs, Abuja residents will have a crime-free yuletide”.

The Force PRO said a total of 184 ATM cards of different banks bearing different names were recovered.

“We are also going after dealers on illicit drugs. This is based on our understand­ing of the nexus between violent crime and illicit drugs.

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