Troops of the 144 Battalion (Rear) under Operation Eastern Sanity have arrested 21 suspected drug traffickers during a raid at a Mammy market in Owaza, Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State.
The operation was carried out on Tuesday following intelligence that the market and nearby bushes were being used as hideouts by crude oil bunkerers, illegal petrol dealers, pipeline vandals, and illicit drug traffickers. The raid was conducted jointly with personnel from the Nigerian Navy Component and the Nigerian Air Force 511 Quick Response Group.
Security operatives cordoned off the market and surrounding areas before carrying out a thorough search of locations suspected to be criminal enclaves.
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During the operation, troops recovered large quantities of Indian hemp, rizzlers, substances suspected to be hard drugs known as “ice,” and cash totaling ₦103,000.
Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the 14 Brigade, Mazinho Attah, said the 21 suspects are undergoing preliminary profiling. They will be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Attah added that aggressive patrols and area domination exercises are ongoing across the region to prevent criminal elements from operating freely.
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