The police in Akwa Ibom State have arrested five suspected drug dealers and recovered substances suspected to be “Indian hemp, tramadol, loud, and ice” during a raid on a suspected criminal hideout.
The raid was conducted on Tuesday at Mbak Itam, Ikot Mbang, following credible intelligence, according to the police.
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The police spokesperson in the state, Timfon John, a deputy superintendent of police, disclosed this in a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday.
She said the operation was part of the Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare’s, “Zero Black Spot” initiative, which aims to identify and dismantle criminal hideouts across the state.
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Those arrested were identified as Abraham Emmanuel, Happiness Archibong, Esther Okon, Esther Udo and Chinedu Benjamin.
Police recover suspected drugs, money
According to the statement, operatives recovered large quantities of substances suspected to be Indian hemp, tramadol, loud and ice from the location.
The police also recovered ₦42,000, suspected to be proceeds connected to the illicit drug trade.
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The Command reported that several other suspects fled the scene upon sighting the police vehicle.
Ms John said Mr Azare commended the officers involved in the operation for their “courage, vigilance and commitment to duty.”
He also directed that intelligence-led operations against criminals should be sustained, particularly in isolated locations used as bases for drug trafficking, cultism and violent crimes.
The statement said, “The Command wishes to make it unequivocally clear that there will be no haven for criminals in Akwa Ibom State.”
It added that the Zero Black Spot initiative is designed to “identify, disrupt and dismantle locations being used to facilitate criminal activities” while improving security and public confidence in communities.
The Command urged Akwa Ibom residents to remain vigilant and provide timely information that could help prevent and detect crime.
READ ALSO: Police arrest 2 suspected hard drug dealers in Anambra
Latest in a series of police operations
The latest arrests come amid a series of police operations targeting criminal activities in Akwa Ibom.
In June, PREMIUM TIMES reported that police arrested three people over alleged armed robbery and cultism in the state. The police reported recovering firearms and other exhibits during separate operations in Abak and Etinan.
Earlier that month, police also announced the recovery of a locally made pistol and substances suspected to be Indian hemp during an intelligence-led operation in Ibeno. The Command said the operation was based on information about the concealment and distribution of illicit substances.
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