Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Kano State have confiscated 75,000 capsules of pregabalin, 556 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup and quantities of cannabis during an operation in the Badawa area of the state.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday in Kano by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Sadiq Muhammad-Maigatari.
Pregabalin is medically prescribed as an anticonvulsant and pain-relief drug, but authorities say it has increasingly been abused in recent years across the country.
Reacting to the operation, the NDLEA Commander in Kano, Dahiru Yahaya-Lawal, said the interception followed credible intelligence that the illicit substances were intended for distribution ahead of the upcoming Sallah festivities.
According to him, the operation thwarted what could have become a major supply of illegal drugs to underground markets within the state.
The agency added that the main suspect linked to the consignment is currently on the run and has been placed on its wanted list.
Yahaya-Lawal described the seizure as a significant disruption to the activities of the drug network and a step toward safeguarding residents from the dangers associated with illicit drug use.
He reaffirmed that the command remained committed to the vision of the NDLEA leadership to curb drug abuse and trafficking across the country.
The commander also appreciated members of the public for supporting the agency’s operations and encouraged residents to continue providing useful information that could assist in tackling drug-related crimes.
He warned individuals involved in the illegal drug trade to abandon such activities, stressing that the agency would persist in tracking down offenders and ensuring they face the law.