The Katsina State Police Command has intensified its crackdown on illicit drug trafficking with the arrest of a 37-year-old suspected drug dealer and the recovery of 28 blocks of a substance believed to be cannabis sativa.

The arrest was made during a routine security operation in Mashi Local Government Area of the state, according to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu.

Sadiq-Aliyu said operatives of the command apprehended the suspect at about 8 p.m. on Monday while conducting a visibility patrol along the Mashi–Birnin Kuka border corridor. The operation, he noted, was carried out following credible intelligence received by the police.

According to the police spokesman, officers conducted a thorough search on the suspect, leading to the discovery of 28 blocks of dried leaves strongly suspected to be cannabis sativa.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly intended to distribute the illicit substance within Katsina State and other locations.

“The suspect confessed during interrogation to trafficking the illicit substance with the intention of distributing and selling it within the state and beyond,” Sadiq-Aliyu stated.

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He disclosed that the suspect remains in police custody as investigations continue, adding that he would be prosecuted upon the conclusion of the inquiry.

The police spokesperson further quoted the Commissioner of Police, Ali Umar-Fage, as reaffirming the command’s determination to tackle drug trafficking, abuse and other related crimes across the state.

Umar-Fage warned individuals involved in drug-related offences and other criminal activities to abandon such acts or be prepared to face legal consequences.

The commissioner also commended residents for their continued cooperation with law enforcement agencies, stressing that public support remains crucial in the ongoing fight against crime and criminality in Katsina State.

The latest arrest underscores the command’s sustained efforts to curb the circulation of illicit drugs, which authorities say contribute significantly to insecurity and other social vices within communities.