The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has seized 510 blocks of cannabis sativa and arrested a suspect in a major operation ahead of the Eid-el-Fitr celebration.

The NDLEA commander in Kano, Dahiru Yahaya-Lawal, disclosed this in a statement issued by the command’s public relations officer, Sadiq Muhammad-Maigatari, on Thursday in Kano.

He said the suspect, Sani Musa, 34, from Bebeji LGA, was arrested on March 10, following an intelligence-led operation by NDLEA operatives.

Mr Yahaya-Lawal said that during the operation, officers recovered 510 compressed blocks of cannabis sativa from the suspect.

He added that the suspect confessed that the consignment was delivered to him by a known drug dealer identified as “Alaramma” for safekeeping in his house.

“The suspect admitted that he was authorised to sell the illicit drugs to customers and that the stock was meant for distribution during the Sallah period when demand and profits are usually high,” he said.

The commander noted that investigations were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect, Alaramma, currently at large.

He assured residents of sustained operations by the agency across the state, particularly during festive periods when drug trafficking activities tend to increase.

Mr Yahaya-Lawal urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the nearest NDLEA office.

He also warned those involved in illicit drug activities to desist and embrace lawful means of livelihood, while advising them to choose healthy and safe ways to celebrate the festive period.

The commander, on behalf of the chairman and chief executive officer of NDLEA, Mohammed Buba-Marwa, congratulated the people of Kano on the forthcoming Eid-el-Fitr celebration.

He wished residents a peaceful, safe, and drug-free celebration and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to collaborating with communities to curb drug abuse and trafficking in the state.

(NAN)