Operatives of the Enugu State Police Command have arrested two suspects for alleged involvement in illicit drug peddling in the Nkanu East Local Government Area of the state.

The command also recovered a large quantity of substances suspected to be variants of Cannabis sativa, popularly known as Indian hemp, during separate intelligence-led operations.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, confirmed the arrest in a statement made available to The PUNCH on Friday.

According to Ndukwe, the operations were part of the command’s sustained proactive policing and crackdown on criminal activities across the state.

The police spokesperson stated that operatives attached to the Surveillance Team of the Agbani Area Command raided a notorious hideout at Umuiba Nara in Nkanu East LGA on May 21, 2026, at about 6:25 a.m., leading to the arrest of one Ani James, 35.

“Upon interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed to engaging in the illicit buying and selling of ‘Loud’, ‘Colos’, and other variants of Cannabis sativa. Several sachets and wraps containing the suspected substances were recovered from him,” he said.

In a related development, on May 16, 2026, at about 7:30 a.m., operatives, acting on actionable information, apprehended a 50-year-old man, Edeh Ikechukwu, at Isigwe Ugbawka, also in Nkanu East LGA.

“The suspect confessed to being involved in the illicit drug trade for the past five years,” the PPRO added.

Ndukwe added that investigations into both cases were ongoing and that the suspects would be arraigned upon their conclusion.

Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Giwa, reiterated the command’s resolve to sustain intelligence-driven operations against criminal elements and drug syndicates in the state.

The CP urged residents of the state to remain law-abiding and consistently support the police with credible and timely information to help rid the state of criminal elements. (PUNCH)