Authorities apprehend pair allegedly involved in narcotics trade in Anambra

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The Anambra State Police Command has arrested two suspects for allegedly operating a hard and illicit drug hideout in Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area of the state.

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In a press statement issued on Tuesday, the spokesman for the police command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said substances suspected to be Cannabis sativa, methamphetamine and other illicit drugs valued at ₦6.2m, as well as ₦598,400 in cash, were recovered after security operatives raided the hideout.

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Ikenga added that operatives of the command attached to the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, carried out the raid on the hideout in the early hours of Tuesday, during which two male suspects, identified as Nzube Onyedikachukwu, alias “Onyeoma,” aged 47, and Ugochukwu Azia, aged 20, were arrested.

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According to him, the exercise was in furtherance of the directives of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu.

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The statement read in part, “In furtherance of the directives of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, on sustained intelligence-led operations and the dismantling of criminal hideouts across the country, the Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Oji, has intensified operations against criminal elements and their operational bases across the State.

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“Consequently, following credible intelligence on the activities of suspected illicit drug dealers operating in Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area, operatives of the Command, attached to the Rapid Response Squad Awkuzu, in the early hours of Tuesday, stormed a suspected criminal hideout in Obosi and arrested two male suspects identified as Nzube Onyedikachukwu, alias “Onyeoma,” aged 47 years, and Ugochukwu Azia, aged 20 years.

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“A search conducted at the hideout led to the recovery of a large quantity of substances suspected to be Cannabis sativa, methamphetamine and other illicit drugs valued at ₦6.2 million, as well as the sum of ₦598,400 in cash.

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“Preliminary investigation indicates that the suspects are allegedly involved in the distribution of illicit drugs, while the location is being used as a gathering point by suspected criminal elements after carrying out their operations. Some of the suspected criminals reportedly fled the scene upon sighting the Police.

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“The suspects are currently in Police custody, while investigation has commenced to establish the source and distribution network of the suspected illicit drugs, identify other persons connected to the operation and ascertain the circumstances surrounding the cash recovered.”

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According to him, the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, reiterated that the command would sustain intelligence-led raids, targeted operations and proactive policing aimed at dismantling criminal hideouts and denying criminals safe havens within the state.

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The commissioner further urged residents, traditional institutions, community leaders and other stakeholders to continue supporting the police with credible and timely information on suspicious persons, criminal activities and identified criminal hideouts.

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