The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency says it intercepted 75,000 capsules of pregabalin, 556 bottles of codeine cough syrup and quantities of cannabis in the Badawa area of Kano.

According to a statement on Monday by NDLEA’s spokesman in Kano, Sadiq Muhammad-Maigatari.

Pregabalin is an anticonvulsant and pain-relief medication, but the NDLEA said it had recently become one of the most widely abused prescription drugs in Nigeria.

Reacting to the seizures, NDLEA commander in Kano, Dahiru Yahaya-Lawal, said, “The seizure followed credible intelligence indicating that the illicit drugs were meant for distribution during the forthcoming sallah celebrations. The operation disrupted what would have been a significant supply to illicit markets in the state.”

The prime suspect connected to the drugs, the NDLEA said, is currently at large. The agency said that the suspect was on the NDLEA’s wanted list.

“This seizure is a serious blow to the cartel’s network and protects the good people of Kano from the harms of these illicit substances,” he said.

He said the command remained committed to the directive of NDLEA boss Mohamed Buba-Marwa, for a drug-free society and will not relent in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking.

He also commended members of the public for their continued cooperation with the agency, urging residents to provide useful information that could aid the fight against drug trafficking.

Mr Yahaya-Lawal warned those involved in drug trafficking and related activities to desist, stressing that the agency would continue to pursue offenders and bring them to justice.

(NAN)