By IJENDU IHEAKA

The Abia Police Command says 49-year-old Chukwudi Eguzouwa, an alleged drug kingpin from Ahiaba-Ubi, Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area of the state, is now in its custody.

The command’s Spokesman, DSP Maureen Chinaka, disclosed this in a statement issued in Umuahia and made available to newsmen on Wednesday.

Chinaka stated that Eguzouwa, male, was being detained “for being a notorious dealer in hard drugs and psychotropic substances”.

She explained that bags, containing substances suspected to be marijuana, “Scottish Loud,” methamphetamine, cocaine, and other hard drugs, were found on him during a raid of a hideout in the area.

According to her, Eguzouwa’s arrest followed the directive of the state Commissioner of Police, on intelligence-led raids to ensure the state becomes free of criminal hideouts.

“The operatives of the Violent Response Unit, Anti-Cultism Unit, acting on actionable intelligence, on September 18, carried out a raid on criminal hideouts in the area.

“During the operation, the above-mentioned suspect, known as a notorious drug dealer within the community, was apprehended.

“Upon conclusion of investigations on Tuesday, September 22, the suspect was arraigned and remanded in a correctional facility,” she added.

She stated that the state Police Commissioner, Mr Wilfred Afolabi, warned criminal elements to shun unlawful activities or face the full weight of the law. (NAN)