By Bianca Iboma

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has apprehended a 59-year-old fish farmer, Chukuani, at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano State, in possession of 25kg of ephedrine.
The suspect was apprehended while trying to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Johannesburg, South Africa, through Addis Ababa.
The Kano NDLEA commander, Mr. Ambrose Umoru, said the suspect was intercepted at the departure waiting lounge, based on intelligence. He said the drug was concealed in his luggage.
“The suspect was arrested following a tip-off after he had already gone through screening. When the substance was detected, it was tested and found to be positive for ephedrine. Already, an investigation has commenced into the case since the arrest on July 15,” Umoru said.
During interrogation, the suspect said: “I am a fish farmer. I am married with three children and, due to financial problems, my business was almost going into extinction. I decided to smuggle drugs to invest the money in my fish farm. They promised to pay me the sum of $2,000.”
Chairman of NDLEA, Col. Mustapha Abdallah (retd), reacting to the arrest and seizure, reiterated the importance of intelligence in the fight against drug trafficking.
He said: “Effective drug control is predicated on excellent intelligence management. This case is a validation of the cardinal role of good intelligence gathering and processing. The case is being investigated and further information shall be provided to members of the public.”