On Tuesday, troops from the 144th Battalion (Rear) of Operation Eastern Sanity executed a “well coordinated raid” against a Mammy market in Owaza, Ukwa West LGA of Abia State.
The raid was carried out in response to reports of crude oil bunkerers, illegal PMS traders, pipeline vandals, and illicit drug traffickers operating in the market and surrounding woodlands.
During the raid, 21 alleged illegal narcotics dealers were apprehended.
The intelligence-based action was conducted in collaboration with members of the Nigerian Navy Component and the Nigerian Air Force 511 Quick Response Group.
Mazinho Attah, acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the 14 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Abia State, announced the development in a statement.
According to Attah, when forces arrived at the target area, they quickly cordoned off and inspected the entire market as well as other hideouts suspected of being criminal enclaves.
He stated that the rigorous operation resulted in the arrest of 21 suspected illicit drug peddlers caught in possession of huge quantities of Indian hemp, rizzlers, suspected hard drugs colloquially known as “ice,” and N103,000.
“The suspects are currently in custody and undergoing preliminary profiling before being handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further investigation and prosecution.”
“Meanwhile, aggressive patrols and domination activities continue across the general area to deny criminal elements freedom of action,” the statement stated.